LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Dr. Nasim Ashraf has announced to retain Shoaib Malik as captain of the Pakistan Test and ODI cricket team for further one year while all players have been banned for writing columns in print media.
Briefing media at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, chairman PCB Nasim Ashraf said that if captains are used to be changed after every two or three matches then the team can never be established.
He said that Shoaib Malik will continue as captain of the team for further one year while appointment of vice-captain would be decided in the PCB governing body meeting to be held in Karachi on December 15. The vice captain would also be appointed for one year.
Dr. Nasim Ashraf said that no player including captain would be allowed to write column for newspapers.
He said that Misbah-ul-Haq played very well on the tour of India and Kamran Akmal was not good in wicketkeeping but he did wonders in batting.
On bowling, he said that it was weak due to injuries of the bowlers and it was not so strong to dismiss any team twice in a match.
He said that saving two Test matches against India was a good omen, however, we have to work on mental fitness of our players. If the coach needs, the board would also provide a psychiatrist.
Chairman PCB said that Geoff Lawson is on leave for two weeks after which he would submit his report on the tour of India. Team manager Talat Ali has also been asked for submitting the report.
Dr. Nasim Ashraf further said that the new contracts would be given to the players, who are on central contract but their domestic performance must also be reviewed.
Regarding fast bowler Mohammad Asif, he said that he would be available to the team within six weeks as he has already been operated upon successfully.
About the World Cup 2011, Nasim Ashraf said that the format of the mega event would be finalized by the International Ccricket Council while the Asia Cup cricket tournament would be played according to the schedule in mid June next year in Karachi.
He further said that three camps would be arranged for hunting new players. The camp for wicketkeepers would be held in Karachi under the supervision of former captain Rashid Lateef. Second camp would be held for openers and third would be held for fast bowlers.
Nasim Ashraf said that nobody is above the game and any player’s interest in any other section other than cricket would not be tolerated. It would be better for Shoaib Akhtar to come and play domestic cricket in Pakistan.
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