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| April 20, 2007 | Friday | Rabi-us-Sani 02, 1428 |
Shoaib Malik named new skipper, Talat Ali retained as manager
LAHORE, April 19: Dashing, young all-rounder Shoaib Malik on Thursday was named as the new Pakistan captain while former Test opener Talat Ali was retained as manager for another two years.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf, flanked by Shoaib Malik, members of the newly-appointed selection committee and manager Talat Ali, announced the decision in a crowded press conference here on Thursday.
The 25-year-old Shoaib, who has played 18 Tests and 137 One-day Internationals, replaces Inzamam-ul-Haq who quit ODIs after the ignominious World Cup exit.
Vice-captain Younis Khan ruled himself out of contention for the captaincy earlier this month though prolific batsman Mohammad Yousuf openly revealed his desire to take up the job.
However, Shoaib who has batted at a variety of positions during his short career, got the nod from PCB and has been appointed captain till December this year. His first task is set to be a series with Sri Lanka in May.
"He has been appointed as captain with the future of Pakistan cricket in mind," said the PCB chairman. "The PCB, with consultation of cricket experts and former cricketers, reached the consensus to appoint Shoaib Malik as captain till Dec 2007 and the ad hoc committee also approved it," he added. "He will lead the team both in Tests and one-day versions of the game."
Asked if the PCB had also consulted with the senior players of the Pakistan team, the chairman said it was entirely the board's prerogative to appoint the skipper and hoped that all the senior and junior players will back Shoaib in his assignment.
Dr Nasim expressed confidence in Shoaib’s ability to motivate the side and said the young all-rounder had the ability to get the best out of the players. The vice-captain of the team will be announced later.
Commenting on the working relationship of various officials with the team, the chairman said PCB had prepared a code of conduct for captain, coach, manager and selection committee to avoid any misunderstandings in the future.
"The selectors, the captain and the team management will work independently but everyone will be responsible for their work and even I will not dictate anything to them."
Commenting on the two-year extension for Talat as manager, the chairman said his performance merited the move after his commendable show in the West Indies during the World Cup, particularly after coach Bob Woolmer’s death. "Talat handled the situation well after Woolmer's death. It was not an easy job to bring back the team from the West Indies after the unfortunate incident," said the chairman.
The chairman disclosed that Talat would also be the coach of Pakistan team for the three-match series against Sri Lanka to be held in Abu Dhabi from May 10.
"We are on our way to hiring a new coach and are looking at all options including that of hiring a foreigner. But until then, Talat will also take care of coaching," he said.
The PCB chairman said there would be zero tolerance policy against undisciplined players and only match-fit cricketers will be allowed to play for Pakistan.
Talat, he said, will also be heading the disciplinary committee to impose on-the-spot fines or handing out punishments for any offence whatsoever.
According to PCB schedule, a short training camp in Lahore, which commences on May 1 for the series against Sri Lanka, will be followed by national camps in Abbottabad, Quetta and Karachi from June to August.
Chief selector Salahuddin said his committee will be working independently and will do its utmost to remain fair in all aspects without yielding to any outside pressures.
"It is an open secret that I never accepted any pressure during my long tenure as chief selector and as a member in the past," said Sallu. “I would rather resign than succumb to pressures.”
To a question, the chief selector said Imran Farhat, Taufiq Umar and Salman Butt were all talented openers and they would be given a fair chance to prove themselves. Furthermore, he said NCA director Mudassar Nazar would also launch a talent hunt program and hopefully his committee would soon find a reliable opening pair.
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