Shoaib Malik was appointed as captain of Pakistan team after the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup. In his first major tournament as captain, Pakistan did exceedingly well and ended up as runner-ups in the ICC World T20 2007. Malik’s performance was influential for the team. With the passage of time, differences grew between Malik and the other senior players and as a result of grouping within the team, he had to resign as captain. From then onwards, his place in the Pakistani team has not been secure even though he has played some match winning knocks for Pakistan during this period. His superb century against India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 is a great example.
But in Pakistan, performance is not the only criteria for selection. Your terms with the management and captain are probably more important than your talent or ability.
Shoaib Malik has been one of the most flourishing players for Pakistan in the 2000’s. For someone who started his career as an off-spinner, to become a batsman of such calibre is a commendable thing in itself. Without doubt one of the best fielders in Pakistan, Malik bowls handy off-spinners and is physically very fit. He might not be as classy as Yousaf or Younis, not as flamboyant as Salman Butt or the Akmals but he is definitely effective for the team like all of them.
Malik has secured 15 Man-of-the-Match awards in only 192 ODI’s so far, which is quite a high ratio as compared to most of the senior players in the Pakistani line-up.
Somehow in Pakistan, the selectors will select a player for all formats or none. Same has happened with Malik. He was dropped from the ODI and T20 squads after a poor showing in Test matches in England. Malik’s omission from the Test squad might make sense but he should be a permanent part of Pakistan’s limited over setup.
He has strengthened his case even more with a smashing 200 against Faisalabad in a recent first class match playing for Pakistan International Airlines and backed it up with a half-century in the second innings. He has done his bit by proving his form to the selectors and now the ball is in the court of the selection committee.
ICC World Cup 2011 is just 3 months away and Pakistani selectors should try to develop a combination that can give Pakistan an hope in the event. With the induction of Malik, Pakistani team would have a better balance and a strengthened middle-order as well
