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Pak allows banned Salim Malik to travel
Pakistan will allow banned former captain Salim Malik, who is barred from travelling abroad, to visit India to watch the upcoming series.
Pakistan will allow banned former captain Salim Malik, who is barred from travelling abroad, to visit India to watch the upcoming cricket series between the arch rivals, officials said on Friday.
The 41-year old Malik, who played 103 Tests and 283 One-Day Internationals between 1981-1999, now lives a reclusive life after he was banned on charges of match fixing in 2000.
His name was put on the government's Exit Control List (ECL) which bars people from travelling abroad. He was also barred from holding any cricket related post.
However the interior ministry on Thursday lifted the ban temporarily for one month.
"Yes, Malik has been given permission to go abroad but his name has not been removed from the ECL," interior minister Aftab Sherpao said.
Malik welcomed the decision.
"It's a good news for me because I want to see the cricket series and I have also had various commentary offers," said Malik, whose appeal against the life ban is still pending with Pakistan's Supreme Court.
Malik, who led Pakistan to 12 wins out of 15 Tests during his captaincy, said the India tour would be a real challenge for Inzamam-ul-Haq's captaincy but added that Pakistan could win.
"Even though India are a very tough side on home grounds, Pakistan can beat them if they play with determination and resolve," Malik said.
Pakistan play three Tests and six one-day games on their first tour of India since 1999, Malik's penultimate cricket tour.
Malik based his assertion on Pakistan's recent preparations.
"Pakistan have just played a cricket series in Australia, so after playing the world's best team they are well prepared. India's last series was against Bangladesh and it could prove decisive," said Malik.
"All those who judged Inzamam's captaincy on the tour of Australia are wrong because even a good captain like Stephen Fleming of New Zealand looks weak against Australia."
"Inzamam's batting and captaincy will play a lead role if Pakistan win on Indian soil and he has the potential to lead Pakistan to a great victory," added Malik, who was also member of Pakistan's winning team to India in 1987.
"India has a better bowling attack than us, but our spinners can still do well because it's confirmed that it would be a battle of batsmen against spinners," he said.
However he said that Pakistan would suffer from the loss of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who pulled out of the tour with a hamstring injury.
"Akhtar is a terror, there is no doubt, and his absence will ease the pressure on the Indian batsmen. The only compensation would be if Sachin Tendulkar doesn't play for India," he said, referring to the Indian star batsman.
