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Pakistan to stick with Malik

22/12/2007

Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has insisted he wants to lead the team despite calls for senior batsman Younis Khan to replace him.

Khan was offered the Pakistan captaincy when Inzamam-ul-Haq retired after the Word Cup, but he turned the job down. However, after leading the team for two Tests in the series against India earlier this month, reports have claimed he now wants the job.

Some reports have even claimed that there is a division in the Pakistan squad with many senior players allegedly wanting Khan to become captain.

"It hurts to end the year on a disappointing note with defeats in India," said Malik. "But there is no truth in rumours of differences within the team.

"The team has been playing as a unit and that is why we managed to draw the last two Tests in India. The seniors have been extending full co-operation and I am happy with my position as captain."

Malik insisted the squad are in good spirits ahead of the one-day series against Zimbabwe and said he was happy with his own performances.

He said: "Every professional cricketer when he is on the field is under pressure to perform and the same is for me. And I don't think my performance as a player has been that bad as captain. But there is a need for me to be more consistent."