deepak pace
DJ_DEE
Karachi January 7:
Despite being criticised for his leadership, Shoaib Malik was today retained as the national captain for an indefinite period by Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ejaz Butt.
Chief Operating Officer of the Board, Saleem Altaf, told reporters in Lahore that Butt used his powers as chairman to make the decision without seeking approval from the governing council in view of a home series against Sri Lanka. "The Chairman has already confirmed that Malik would remain the captain for an indefinite period," he said.
Asked if the Board had sought the approval of its governing council on the issue, Altaf said six members of the council had resigned so it was no longer operational. "The council will become active once the Chairman announces six new technocrats to the council with the approval of the authorities-concerned," he said.
It has been a big turnaround for Malik, who was appointed captain in 2007 after the World Cup in Caribbean, as he has faced constant criticism from former players including his ex-captains and other officials. But Altaf said Malik represented a strong future and everyone including the former players in the Board, the national team coach Intikhab Alam and national selectors felt he had shown definite improvement and deserved to be given a long run.
Malik has boosted his ratings and own confidence by leading his regional and provincial teams to the national Twenty20 and one-day titles in recent months and also led Pakistan to a 3-0 sweep over Sri Lankan in Abu Dhabi in November.
Despite being criticised for his leadership, Shoaib Malik was today retained as the national captain for an indefinite period by Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ejaz Butt.
Chief Operating Officer of the Board, Saleem Altaf, told reporters in Lahore that Butt used his powers as chairman to make the decision without seeking approval from the governing council in view of a home series against Sri Lanka. "The Chairman has already confirmed that Malik would remain the captain for an indefinite period," he said.
Asked if the Board had sought the approval of its governing council on the issue, Altaf said six members of the council had resigned so it was no longer operational. "The council will become active once the Chairman announces six new technocrats to the council with the approval of the authorities-concerned," he said.
It has been a big turnaround for Malik, who was appointed captain in 2007 after the World Cup in Caribbean, as he has faced constant criticism from former players including his ex-captains and other officials. But Altaf said Malik represented a strong future and everyone including the former players in the Board, the national team coach Intikhab Alam and national selectors felt he had shown definite improvement and deserved to be given a long run.
Malik has boosted his ratings and own confidence by leading his regional and provincial teams to the national Twenty20 and one-day titles in recent months and also led Pakistan to a 3-0 sweep over Sri Lankan in Abu Dhabi in November.
