No issues with Afridi, says Malik

KARACHI, January 23: Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik on Wednesday denied growing rumours of a possible rift in the team, saying he had no issues with seasoned all-rounder Shahid Afridi. Some newspapers reported that Malik and coach Geoff Lawson didn’t want Afridi in the team and he had not attended a training session in protest and gone to Islamabad without their permission.
The media also reported that other senior players were unhappy with the way they were being treated by the captain and the coach. There have also been newspaper stories about Malik and Lawson clashing with the national selectors. Malik said all the reports were based on misunderstandings.
Afridi is a senior player of the team. The fact is he went to Islamabad after taking permission from the team management and the Pakistan Cricket Board. So there is no question of him leaving in protest, Malik said.
Sources say a particular lobby involving team manager Talat Ali might be responsible for floating stories about Afridi and other senior players. Papers have reported that Talat has filed a negative report on Afridi, Younis Khan and Shoaib Akhtar in his post-Indian tour review.
Malik insisted there was complete harmony in the team and all the players were just focused on their cricket and winning the series against Zimbabwe. He said having a difference of opinion with the selectors over some selection issues was nothing serious. It is natural to have a difference of opinion. We argue but it does not mean we dont get along with the selectors, he said.
The young Pakistan captain said he was in control of the team and the players were giving him support. There is no disharmony or rifts in the team. Just let us concentrate on our cricket, he added. Malik said he was aiming for a whitewash of the five-match series against Zimbabwe with the second match due to be played tomorrow in Hyderabad.
But we are not taking Zimbabawe lightly at all. They remain a good One-day side and can have a good day. We can’t relax at any stage of the series. Malik said while he was happy with the prolific performers on domestic circuit being given chances in the series but cautioned not to overrate a player on the basis of one or two performances.
Nasir Jamshed played well in the first match but let us give him more time and allow him the opportunity to be more consistent.
The Niaz stadium in Hyderabad is being revived as an international venue after 12 years with India playing the last match at the venue in 1997. Since than it has been used for every purpose but cricket until the board revived it as a main centre last year.
Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya said he wanted his bowlers to stand up and be counted in the series. We can avoid a whitewash but our bowlers need to do better. We can’t allow the opposition to party against us in every other match. We need to be more consistent in our all-round performances, he said.