KARACHI: A third member of the Pakistan touring squad in England might be snapped up by an English County.
‘The News’ has learnt that allrounder Shoaib Malik has been asked by Gloucestershire County if he would be available to play for them as a back-up to Australian allrounder Ian Harvey in July and August.
“Nothing is final as yet but Malik has been conveyed that he might be required to sign a two months contract with Gloucester for whom Harvey has been in prolific form this season but recently suffered from an injury,” a source said from London.
He said that Malik was keen to play for Gloucester but would only seek permission from the Pakistan board and management once it was confirmed he would be signing a contract.
Shoaib Malik has been of Pakistan’s most improved players since the World Cup starring in some of the recent One-day victories either with valuable runs or with wicket-taking bowling performances while his fielding has like always remained brilliant.
Shoaib Akhtar and Muhammad Sami have already been released from the Pakistan team in England to take up assignments with counties Durham and Kent. While Azhar Mehmood and Abdul Razzaq have already been playing for Surrey and Middlesex in the county championship.
Other Pakistani players currently in action for different counties include Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq, while Shahid Afridi has just completed a stint with Derbyshire.
Harvey hammers the first Twenty20 century
Wisden Cricinfo staff - June 23, 2003
Gloucestershire 135 for 2 (Harvey 100*) beat Warwickshire 134 for 7 by 8 wickets at Edgbaston
Ian Harvey thrashed the first century in Twenty20 Cup cricket as Gloucestershire maintained their 100% record at Edgbaston. Harvey faced only 50 balls, but thwacked 13 fours and four sixes as Warwickshire’s modest total was surpassed with 6.5 overs to spare. Earlier Jonathan Trott hit 65* for Warwickshire, but then Harvey came in and made his spot of history.
**Well the way Harvey is playing it seems unlikely that Shoaib Malik will get a chance to play. **
On a seperate note Sami also made his debut for Kent. His first game was agaisnt Surrey. Kent lost the game and Sami didnt do anything outstanding, but the hero of the match was still a Pakistani. Azhar Mehmood playing for Surrey made 57* smashing five sixes and then returned with figures of 2-25. Damn he plays better for counties then he does for Pakistan.
i hope he gets chance to play few first class matches so that he learns more about flighting the ball, right now due to the over exposure ODi's he tries to keep the ball a little flat, rather than giving it a little air, thats one part of his bowling that is going to improve alot IF they give him a few first class matches. second aspect is learning how to ball on pitches that dont offer great help to off spinners. i am sure the comming season he's going to be a much develpoed player.
LM ji, the reason Shoaib is playing for this team is because he is replacing Harvey.
[/QUOTE]
Shoaib Malik has been asked by Gloucestershire County if he would be available to play for them as a back-up to Australian allrounder Ian Harvey in July and August.
I think he is there so if Harvey's injury gets worse he can take over.
Shoaib Malik has been asked by Gloucestershire County if he would be available to play for them as a back-up to Australian allrounder Ian Harvey in July and August.
I think he is there so if Harvey's injury gets worse he can take over.
[/QUOTE]
I think Harvey is being called up for the Australia series against Bangladesh in July - August, so Malik will be his replacement for that moment.
Pakistan allrounder Shoaib Malik has joined Gloucestershire on a short-term contract as cover for Ian Harvey who is on international duty with Australia.
“I am excited by the prospect of signing an international spinning allrounder to replace Ian during the Cheltenham Festival and the C&G semi-finals,” said John Bracewell, Gloucestershire’s director of cricket. **“He will add a new and refreshing dimension to the squad as did Ian Butler, which is in keeping with our playing philosophy to both win and entertain.” **
