Shoaib Malik to replace Afridi in second Test versus Australia
July 19th, 2010 - 2:14 am ICT by IANSKarachi, July 19 (IANS) Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik is set to replace outgoing skipper Shahid Afridi in the playing line-up for his team’s second and final Test against Australia at Headingley.
Sources in the team management said Malik has managed to convince officials that he can contribute to the team’s cause as Pakistan looks to square the two-match Test series after suffering a crushing 150-run defeat at the hands of the Aussies at Lord’s last week.
Malik, one of the seniormost players in the Pakistan team following the exit of experienced batsmen like Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan, was dropped from the playing eleven for the opening Test after the team management found he was not showing seriousness in practice sessions.
The presence of his wife Sania Mirza, the Indian tennis starlet, was believed to be the major reason why the Pakistan team management decided that Malik was too distracted to give his best in the opening Test.
However, according to sources, Malik has shifted his focus completely to cricket and is all set to fill in for Afridi in the second Test. Afridi dropped a bombshell soon after the end of the Lord’s Test match by announcing his retirement from Test cricket.
The only other change expected in the Pakistan eleven for the Headingley Test starting Wednesday is that of off-spinner Saeed Ajmal coming in for leggie Danish Kaneria.
- Afridi hoping for spinner-friendly track in England - Jul 03, 2010
- Pak team may replace Kaneria with Ajmal for Headingley Test against Australia - Jul 19, 2010
- Malik dropped from first Test against Australia - Jul 13, 2010
- Malik dropped over poor form, not 'time' with wife Sania: Pak manager - Jul 14, 2010
- Adnan Akmal to replace Zulqarnain for Tests against South Africa - Nov 09, 2010
- PCB rejects Kaneria's plea - May 18, 2011
- Younis ignored for Pak teams for England tour - Jun 21, 2010
- Ex-players blast PCB for dumping Younis for England tour - Jun 22, 2010
- Kaneria not cleared, say ICC and PCB - Feb 20, 2012
- Afridi ready to be recalled to Pak Test side - Jan 01, 2010
- PCB chief selector hits back at charges of bias against Karachi players - Aug 13, 2010
- Pakistan team will bounce back in Headingley Test: Waqar - Jul 19, 2010
- Kaneria wants justice from PCB - May 04, 2011
- Pakistan ignore Younis for Test series against Australia - Dec 08, 2009
- Kaneria's participation in Pak's tour of England ICC's concern: ECB - Jun 06, 2010
Tags: afridi, aussies, bombshell, danish kaneria, final test, indian tennis, mohammad yousuf, pakistan captain, pakistan team, practice sessions, saeed, sania mirza, second test, shoaib malik, starlet, team management, test cricket, test match, test series, younis khan