October 14, 1999
Beginning at No. 9
Fails to get a chance to bat on his debut ODI, but picks up the wickets of Sherwin Campbell and the dangerous Ricardo Powell in the Coca Cola Champions Trophy against West Indies in Sharjah.
February 14, 1999
Allrounder you say?
Advances his credentials as an allrounder with a dazzling unbeaten 111 against West Indies yet again
in Sharjah. His maiden hundred off 130 balls also earns him his first Man-of-the-Match award.
May 11, 2001
Throwing a spanner
The PCB's group of bowling advisors examines Malik's action after the ICC sends a tape for review. The board clears his offbreaks, but recommends training with former spinner and umpire Mohammad Nazir (jnr) with regard to the doosra. He would be reported once again in October 2004 and would undergo surgery in May 2006 as the kink had resulted from an accident suffered two years ago.
August 31, 2001
A tepid Test debut
Makes his Test debut along with Taufeeq Umar in the first match of the Asian Test Championship against Bangladesh
in Multan. Doesn't get a chance to bat, but contributes two wickets during Bangladesh's first innings, as Pakistan complete a mammoth innings-and-264-run win.
July 18, 2004
Ton and four wickets v Hong Kong
Picks up his career best figures of 4 for 19, against Hong Kong in the Asia Cup at the SSC. The bowling effort is preceded by 118 off 110 balls as Pakistan steamroll their way to a 143-run victory via the D/L method.
July 25, 2004
Familiar foes bring out the best
Follows up the Hong Kong performance with another century against India in another Asia Cup league match at
the Premadasa. The 127-ball 143 becomes his highest ODI score, as he finishes on top of the run-scorer's charts for the tournament.
May 2, 2005
In a fix
Is handed a one-Test ban after admitting to deliberately losing the domestic Twenty20 match between Sialkot Stallions and Karachi Zebras. Engineers the result so that Sialkot lose the match, thereby knocking the Lahore Eagles out of the tournament. Misses the first Test against West Indies in Barbados.
May 10, 2005
All clear for the action
Is cleared of a suspect bowling action. The all-clear arrives after Malik went to the sports institute of South Africa the previous month, whose report said his arm bend was within the tolerance level of 15 degrees.
Feb 6-13, 2006
Glorious run against the neighbours
The Indian bowlers can't keep him quiet as Malik scores 90, 95 and 108 in successive home ODIs against India. Pakistan, though, end up losing two of those matches.
March 30, 2006
Maiden ton to the rescue
Scores a vital, match-saving hundred against Sri Lanka
at the SSC in Colombo, registering his maiden Test century as well. His unbeaten 148 leads Pakistan's charge during the chase of 458. The match ends in a draw, but Pakistan win the second and final Test to clinch the series.
April 19, 2007
The lead role
Following Pakistan's disastrous 2007 World Cup campaign, is appointed captain by the PCB in both Tests and ODIs. He succeeds Inzamam-ul Haq and becomes the 25th player to lead Pakistan.
January 27, 2009
The crown passes on
Following Pakistan's worst ODI defeat to Sri Lanka at home, he is relieved of his duties as captain. Younis Khan takes over the charge. Two weeks after his ouster, Malik's coach and manager term him "a loner and aloof".
September 26, 2009
Revenge in Centurion
Scores his fourth ODI hundred against his favourite opponents, India, as Pakistan avenge their 2003 World Cup defeat at the same ground. The occasion is a Champions Trophy match, and Malik scores as India are
defeated by 54 runs.
February 5, 2010
Back in top job
With Pakistan's Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi banned for two matches, he leads the team for the one-off Twenty20 against Australia in Melbourne. He is also named captain for both Twenty20 internationals against England in Dubai that follow.
March 10, 2010
Banned and fined by PCB
The Pakistan board comes down hard on Malik on disciplinary grounds, banning him from the national team for a year and fining him two million rupees.