Malik tries wicket-keeping

Desperate to get a berth in the playing XI, Pak all-rounder Shoaib Malik is now trying his hands behind the wicket to add value to his batting.

Desperate to get a berth in the playing eleven, Pakistani all-rounder Shoaib Malik is now trying his hands behind the wicket to add value to his batting.

HT Image

"I am concentrating on wicket-keeping to add value to my batting," Malik, who played his last Test in the Melbourne Test against Australia early this year, said on Tuesday.

Malik began to concentrate on wicket-keeping after he was reported for suspect bowling action during Paktel series final against Sri Lanka and is still awaiting to be cleared.

While leaving the selection issues entirely to the team management, Malik did not hide his intentions.

"Everyone wants to be in the playing eleven. It's a great feeling to play for Pakistan. But the decision is upto the coach and captain and I am happy with it," he said.

Interesting as it may sound, "I came in the Pakistan team as a bowler and later on I became an all-rounder" before trying to play the wicket-keeper's role these days.

After missing the Sydney Test and the Indo-Pak series opener at Mohali, Malik now hopes to soon regain his position in the first eleven, which he lost after sustaining injury in Melbourne.

Malik, a hard-hitting batsman, was also ready to offer his services in the opening slot, a weak spot in the current Pakistani squad.

"I have batted at various positions from number one to 10. I will play wherever my captain wants me to," said the player who usually batted at number six in Tests.

In the one-dayers, however, his position has been changing constantly.

To a question, Malik regretted that the Pakistani players in general received poor endorsement offers from the corporates in their country.

"Advertisers come but pay very little money. I hope things to improve after the current series," he said.