Khan Sahab -
you got to be kidding.. Malik has been pathetically uninspiring when it comes to bowling. It has been pretty obvious that the guy was reluctant to bowl against quality batting and in crunch situations. And then not letting new comers to bowl against sides like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh to get some experience or exposure.
Let's take this one step further and I will add that it is completely fair for both of us - and others - to point at Malik especially when he is reluctant to give a chance to youngsters. Sometimes with his tactics of not giving the ball to the new inclusions, he reminds me of Inzamam and the reluctance to see the change in the team, for better or for worse. But after Asia Cup and only in this T20, I see a different leader, someone who has been inspiring with his performances, batting and bowling. I see your point and realize that even the youngsters who were included in the team were not given a fair amount of exposure, but from Malik's point of view, he has been doing an adequate job of performing. If he was not performing as captain, I would have thought otherwise.
Several experts have criticized him for this so called strategy which I think should be called his insecurity. The guy clearly is not willing to give newcomers a chance to bat or bowl in matches most of the times whenever there has been an oppotunity and instead giving hinself more overs and sending himself up the order.
This is what Akram said about him:
"As a leader and as a player he has to be positive. In the beginning I thought he had the skills; now I have my doubts. Against Zimbabwe he bowled ten overs in almost every match, against Bangladesh he bowled a little less. But in big matches he is not bowling. Do you think nobody notices? People do. Most of all, players notice how the leader is doing. "
I am sure alot of people will come up with anti Akram statements about his own antics but just think what he is saying. He is right on the money here.
Totally fair. I also believe Malik's strategy to use Sohail Khan by playing defensive and have him and Afridi bowl a full quota of overs was unfair. One over of Sohail Khan, three overs of Rauf and two overs of Anwar Ali against Zimbabwe (which, regardless of the result, would have been very good opportunities to test them all out fully). Yes, it is all noticed.
I guess PCB should have made Misbah the captain but I guess they wanted to test him more before giving him the opportunity.
And regardless of the time PCB plans to test him out or anyone else, I am not convinced what Misbah will bring to the table will have any huge difference between now - Shoaib Malik - and then. I still want to see what Shoaib Malik can do and series against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are not a benchmark to access the captaincy.