Shoaib Malik

Shoaib Malik

Date of Birth: 1 February 1982, Sialkot, Punjab  Test Debut: Against Bangladesh at Multan in 2001/02  ODI Debut: Against West Indies at Sharjah in 1999/00  Bats: Right Hand Bat  Bowls: Right Arm Off Break

Though he is better known for his off-spin bowling, Shoaib Mallik is a decent bat as well. He appears to have moulded himself on Saqlain Mushtaq as far as his bowling goes, but has impressed with his batting as well.

Malik's abilities in the field and with the bat — he has notched up a couple of hundreds in One-Day Internationals — have made him a regular member of Pakistan’s ODI line-up but failed to seal a permanent berth in the Test squad.

He has also come under the scanner for his percieved faulty bowling action and 2004 saw him undergoing tests in Australia.

Strengths: Decent batsman in the lower order

Weaknesses: Lacks consistency