Shoaib Malik
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Source: [1], May 20 2007 |
Shoaib Malik (Urdu: شعیب ملک) (born 1 February, 1982 in Sialkot) is captain of the Pakistani cricket team. He made his One Day International (ODI) debut in 1999 against the West Indies and his Test debut in 2001 against Bangladesh.
In the current LG ICC ODI All-Rounder Rankings Malik is ranked number 9.LG ICC Cricket Rankings
International Career
He started his career as an off spinner, and is now regarded as a useful batsman with a batting average in the mid 30s in both Test and ODI cricket.
Malik is regarded as a flexible player. He is capable of hitting big shots but is also capable of rotating the strike with good placement. He has a strike rate of 77.23 runs per 100 balls, which compares favourably to players such as Rahul Dravid and Inzamam ul-Haq. His most brazen display of "power hitting" came in 2003 against South Africa when he scored 82 from 40 balls. As is required of most modern players he also has displayed good defensive batting at times. He has taken over 100 ODI wickets at an average under 35 and economy rate below 4.5. His bowling action has come under scrutiny (particularly his doosra) but he has had elbow surgery to correct this.
In Tests, he has a better batting average against Sri Lanka and South Africa than other nations. In ODIs he has a better batting average against India, South Africa, and the West Indies than his overall career average. During his Test career, Malik has batted at 5 different positions and he has the unusual record of batting at every position except 11th in ODIs. Pakistan's recent poor opening statistics have lead to Malik being alloted the position of opener in Test matches.
Captaincy
Following Inzamam-ul-Haq's resignation as Pakistan captain after the 2007 World Cup, Shoaib Malik was put forward as one of the names for the captaincy along with Younus Khan and Mohammad Yousuf. After Younus Khan's rejection, Malik was the popular choice as a younger captain and was seen to represent a fresh start away from the Inzamam era.
Former skipper Imran Khan, who led the team to World Cup glory, backed Malik for the role, stating, "He appears to have a good cricket brain and could turn out to be a very good choice for Pakistan cricket".
Malik was appointed Captain on 19 April 2007 by the Pakistan Cricket Board His experience for his relatively young age and consistent performances are cited as other reasons for his appointment. His vice-captain is Salman Butt.
In Malik's first series as captain, Pakistan beat Sri Lanka 2-1 in an ODI series in Abu Dhabi.
Family
Shoaib Malik's father died on January 25th 2006 when he succumbed to an illness that had afflicted him for a long period. Consequently, Malik missed the 3rd Test played between Pakistan and India. However, he returned for the ODI series with impressive form, including scores of 90, 95, and 108.
Notable Performances
In Test cricket he made a big impression with his match-saving innings against Sri Lanka, in which he batted for the whole day and finished with 148 runs not out. His bowling has been effective at times, especially in one-day cricket where his best bowling figures are four wickets for 19 runs (4/19) in addition to many 3-wicket hauls.
Religious controversy
Malik after losing the final of the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 against India had commented, "First of all I want to say something over here. I want to thank you back home Pakistan and where the Muslim lives all over the world", staking claim for his country the sole ownership to the hopes and aspirations of millions of Muslim fans across the cricket world. India's Irfan Pathan, a Muslim, was awarded the man of the match award. Shoaib Malik's comments drew ire from Pathan's mother Shamim Bano who said: "Shoaib must have said that for his own countrymen, how can he speak for all the Muslims of the world? The way Irfan and Yusuf played for India, that's all that matters to us. They have made us proud of the way India won the Cup."[1] He was criticised by some Pakistani fans for his comments, while others state that the Indian media is creating a controversy by misinterpreting his statement.[2][3]
Template:Incumbent succession boxReferences
- ^ "Irfan's mother echoes the nation: How can Shoaib speak". The Indian Express. 26-09-2007.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Shoaib's remark stings fans, raises a stink". Hindustan Times. 26-09-2007.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "World Cup or war? Pak jury is out". DNA India.
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