PCB extends Malik's captaincy tenure

Shoaib Malik will have one full year to prove his leadership skills © AFP Enlarge

Shoaib Malik will be retained as captain for another year after his current term expires on December 31, said Nasim Ashraf.

"Shoaib has done a good job and he would be retained as skipper for a second term starting Jan 1," Nasim Ashraf, the chairman of the Pakistan board, said after the second Test against South Africa. Ashraf said that in the past the PCB had been appointing a captain on a series-to-series basis, but it will be done on an annual basis from now on.

Defending Pakistan's performance against South Africa, Ashraf said, "The team is gelling with the experience and has a bright future ahead and Shoaib is playing an important role to inspire it.

"The selectors took the decision of fielding two pace bowlers and three spinners but unfortunately Malik could not bowl as the third spinner due to a shoulder injury while pacer Asif was ruled out of the game owing to an elbow injury. Because of these problems Pakistan went under pressure in Lahore Test. The PCB has a clear policy not to interfere in the selection process and the selectors have full freedom to do their job."

Ashraf announced that seven of Pakistan cricketers have been offered contract by the Indian Premier League, including Shoaib Malik, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf. He said the contract would be offered to all the seven players and it would be up to them to sign or reject it.

"We will be happy if all of them join the league which is a recognised, legal competition compared to the rebel and illegal Indian Cricket League (ICL) which is not an ICC-approved event."

Ashraf also revealed that his efforts to make Imran Farhat, who had signed with the ICL, rejoin Pakistan cricket didn't prove fruitful. "I spoke twice to Imran to withdraw from the ICL as the PCB assured him that he will be considered for the Test series against South Africa but he stuck to his earlier decision." He added that Abdul Razzaq's decision of joining the ICL was an immature move on his part.