Does Pakistan Need Shoaib Malik?

Well it’s disappointing. The Pakistan Cricket Board has once again taken a U-turn on their decisions. After banning and fining almost all the top players of the Pakistan team, PCB has now decided to take some steps back on the issue. PCB has lifted the ban from Shoaib Malik and halved the fine of Rs.3 Million. The fines on Umer Akmal and Kamran Akmal have also been relaxed.

However, the PCB has not taken any decisions on

Pakistan Team for Asia Cup, England: Something Missing?

I am astonished by the way Pakistan Cricket Board is running the Cricket affairs. PCB has taken back a number of decisions which they made haphazardly. Recently, PCB has announced a 35-member probable Pakistan Cricket squad for Asia Cup and the England Tour.

Shahdi Afridi has been given the charge of Captaincy in all the 3 formats of the game. Many people question his captaincy in the Tests when he has not played the longest form of the game for the last 4 years. However, I think with the limited options PCB has, Afridi may the ideal candidate for the job.

And if you appoint Afridi as Captain in ODIs and T20, then who will lead the side in Test?

Does Shoaib Akhter Deserve A Place in Pakistan Team?

The man who hit the 100 miles per hour speed milestone in fast bowling, not too long before but today he is struggling to make his place in the Pakistani National Cricket Team: Yes you are right, I am talking about Shoaib Akhter.

Shoaib has had a very short but volatile career on the field. Since his debut in Test Cricket against the West Indies in 1997 at his home ground Rawalpindi, Shoaib has spent little time in the field than in courts, press conferences, gossips, controversies etc.

Now, the current board has declared that Shoaib Akhter’s international career has come to an end! The Rawalpindi Express has played the last test in 2007 against India; about 4 years back… that’s a lot of time guys!

I tell you what, I don’t agree to the most of decisions and comments made by the Ejaz \Butt-led PCB. However, I don’t find any arguments against this one! It’s sad enough to say such words about a player of Shaoib’s caliber. He is fast, furious and deadly, but only if he is fit.

Among other things that have kept Shoaib out of the ground, poor fitness has been the major hurdle. I know he gets unfit because