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Malik rues lack of international action
Lack of international action prior to the tour to India could affect Pakistan cricketers' performance, feels captain Shoaib Malik.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: September 14, 2008 02:17 PM IST
Read Time: 2 min
Karachi:
"I hope we will get to play a couple of series before the Indian tour because when you don't play cricket for sometime, then it is very difficult to stage a comeback against a strong opposition," said Malik here today.
The Pakistan captain was talking to reporters after returning home from Johannesburg where he took part in the shooting of a Bollywood film, 'Victory'.
He said lack of international cricket was affecting the players and hoped they would get busy in the domestic season, scheduled to start from the first week of October.
Pakistan vice-captain Misbah-ul-Haq had echoed similar sentiments before leaving for Delhi yesterday.
Misbah said lack of international cricket had left the players rusty and they were all desperate for some competitive action.
"The postponement of the Champions Trophy has further damaged our cause and I'm afraid we might suffer because of the lack of quality cricket ahead of the series against India," said Misbah, who is presently in India to play for the Sui Gas team against Delhi in the Mohammad Nissar trophy.
"It is frustrating that we will play just a Test this year and even our one-day appearances have mostly been against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. The players definitely need more exposure," he added.
Malik who appeared in the film with Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir and Rao Iftikhar said he had agreed to play a small part as it gave a message to youngsters who falter after doing well initially.
"The film tells them that cricket is a gentleman's game and the players should not get involved in activities that can damage their careers," he said.
Lack of international action prior to the tour to India could affect Pakistan cricketers' performance, feels captain Shoaib Malik."I hope we will get to play a couple of series before the Indian tour because when you don't play cricket for sometime, then it is very difficult to stage a comeback against a strong opposition," said Malik here today.
The Pakistan captain was talking to reporters after returning home from Johannesburg where he took part in the shooting of a Bollywood film, 'Victory'.
He said lack of international cricket was affecting the players and hoped they would get busy in the domestic season, scheduled to start from the first week of October.
Pakistan vice-captain Misbah-ul-Haq had echoed similar sentiments before leaving for Delhi yesterday.
Misbah said lack of international cricket had left the players rusty and they were all desperate for some competitive action.
"The postponement of the Champions Trophy has further damaged our cause and I'm afraid we might suffer because of the lack of quality cricket ahead of the series against India," said Misbah, who is presently in India to play for the Sui Gas team against Delhi in the Mohammad Nissar trophy.
"It is frustrating that we will play just a Test this year and even our one-day appearances have mostly been against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. The players definitely need more exposure," he added.
Malik who appeared in the film with Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir and Rao Iftikhar said he had agreed to play a small part as it gave a message to youngsters who falter after doing well initially.
"The film tells them that cricket is a gentleman's game and the players should not get involved in activities that can damage their careers," he said.
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