Malik vows to carry forward twenty20 form

KARACHI—Pakistan Captain Shoaib Malik vowed on Sunday that his team will make a determined effort in the middle exploiting the home condition to win the series against South Africa.
“We want to carry forward our confidence gained in Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa into Test matches,” he told reporters at National Stadium at a new briefing. 25-year-old Malik, who is leading Pakistan for the first time in a test match, said he was not nervous to lead the team in test match. “I have played in test matches so it nothing new,” he said.
Shoaib Malik said his team gave creditable performance in South Africa and that gave the team a great deal of boost and confidence. “We want to use our strength in home condition in test against South Africa,” he added.
He specially pointed the superb show by Misbah-ul-Haq, whose grand batting took Pakistan to the final where they went down by five runs in cliff-hanger.
He said South African was combination both in batting and bowling department so it will big challenge to win. Responding to a question regarding inclusion of both the spinners Danish Kaneria and Abdur Rehman, he said this will be decided after team making in the evening.
To a question about missing Inzamam-ul-Haq, he said he was great player and integral part of Pakistan but its process that players come and fade away. “Don’t ask more on this issue because it belongs to Pakistan Cricket Board,” Shoaib said of Inzamam joining Indian Cricket League.
He said Muhammad Yousuf’s inclusion has strengthened his team’s batting and it was good boost for the team. Commenting on opening problems, Shoaib Malik said what ever opening lot was available they are being provided the opportunity.
Unmistakably, change is in the air. Pakistan and South Africa meet at the National Stadium in Karachi tomorrow for the first Test, one eye on the now, one on the future.
South Africa, without any hang-ups, are looking ahead in the one tradition that has served them so richly since their re-admission into cricket, that of pace. Shaun Pollock, even if he does play, may no longer be one of the first names on the team sheet, more so if it is being written in the subcontinent.
Mickey Arthur, South Africa’s coach, has been at pains to point out that they are entering “a new era” as far as fast bowling is concerned, though insisting that Pollock has not been shunted out for good. Yet, even if Morne Morkel’s fitness is in doubt - though his condition has improved, he is due to undergo a fitness test in the morning - so too is Pollock’s inclusion. Understandably, for the choice is not easy: opt for Pollock’s batting security or risk the inexperience of Dale Steyn.—Agencies