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Unfazed Malik looks ahead to 20/20 World Cup

For Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, the focus is on the forthcoming Twenty20 World Cup and not the defection of a few of his colleagues to the Indian Cricket League. “It’s a little difficult. But the decision of (Mohd) Yousuf bhai or (Abdul) Razzaq bhai is between them and the Pakistan Cricket Board. I don’t want to discuss this as we are concentrating on the Twenty20 World Cup,” Malik told TOI during a tele-conference interview organised by the ICC.

Instead, Malik is “excited” about the prospect of taking on India during the Twenty20 World Cup. India, Pakistan and Scotland are in the same group. Malik is of the view that the absence of India’s senior pros Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar will not give his side any advantage.

“India still have a balanced side. It’s just that they are looking to give youngsters a chance. An India-Pakistan match is always competitive and playing in Durban, which has a huge Indian and Pakistani population, will add to the fire,” said Malik. With new coach Geoff Lawson joining the team in Lahore on Tuesday, Malik took time off from his meetings with the new staff. Malik claimed he was “very satisfied” with the team’s preparation for the T20 World Cup and excited about the tournament.

“In Twenty20, you need one good spell of or an excellent innings to win the game. More importantly, if we do well in South Africa it will add to our confidence as we have two huge series (SA & India) coming up. I want to win those too,” opined Malik.

The young allrounder admitted that his team hasn’t played much of Twenty20 cricket but is confident of putting a good show. “We have had three camps and worked hard on our fitness. We have also had 20-over games so it has been good. I am confident Afridi, Imran Nazir and Shoaib Akhtar will be the stars for us,” he added.