http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972 backs Shoaib Malik’s inclusion in the side – Cricket News Update
The Pakistan captain, Misbah-ul-Haq on Thursday backed the struggling all-rounder Shoaib Malik saying his bowling against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 had played a vital role in Pakistan’s success over the world cup finalists.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 skipper, was not part of the One Day International and T20 squads of Pakistan announced on Tuesday evening. But only a few hours after the squad was announced, the Pakistan Cricket Board selectors took a U-turn, recalling
Malik back into the limited overs squads for both the ODIs and T20s.
Later, it was revealed that it was the Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq who influenced the PCB selectors to back track their initial decision. Asked about Malik’s inclusion, Misbah said that since the English players are struggling against spin, so they decided
to bring in the batting all-rounder, as he provides the side an extra option.
"I think there was some misunderstanding," said Misbah when asked about Shoaib Malik’s last minute inclusion into the limited overs squads for the England series.
"Maybe he didn't bat well last year, but his bowling played a vital role against Sri Lanka here in Sharjah. Since the opposition is struggling against spinners and sometimes our batting also struggles, I thought Malik's inclusion will benefit the team."
The 30-year-old Malik, who is married to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, has struggled for runs as well as wickets during his the last two tours with Pakistan team (UAE in Oct-Nov and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 in December last year). The all rounder scored 35 runs and
has claimed only five wickets in his last eight innings.
Besides Malik, prolific all-rounder and former captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 also returned to the side for the limited-overs series against England. Afridi, who earned the highest bid in last month’s Bangladesh Premier League auction, turned down the offer in favour
of his national assignment.
Misbah urged the side not to take http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 lightly after the win in the Test series.
"I always say that whatever performance you have given in the past is history and one should look ahead," he said. "It's true we won the Test series and we did celebrate it, but for us tomorrow's match (against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Afghanistan-c745) is important to mold us back in
this format."
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