PCB may extend Malik's tenure

Lahore, Nov 9 (UNI) The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in all likelihood, is going to retain skipper Shoaib Malik to the captain's post for another year in its Governing Board meeting today.

''The PCB has decided to appoint the captain for the next year and as Shoaib is finishing his first term in December, it is the time to decide about the captain with the consent of the Governing Board,'' PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf said.

The chairman was of the opinion that by appointing captain on a year to year basis, the board could judge the leadership abilities of a person in a proper way.

Malik replaced Inzamam-ul-Haq following Pakistan's dismal show at the Caribbean World Cup earlier this year and led the national side to a series victory over Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi soon after.

Malik rose to prominence during the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa in September this year where Pakistan came out as a surprise finalist along with India. Pakistan though eventually lost the final, but it redeems itself from the shambles of the Caribbean World Cup.

However, Malik faired ordinarily as skipper in the Test and one-day home series against South Africa and is currently leading the side on a demanding tour of India.

Though, the captaincy issue is not on the agenda of the Governing Board meeting, Ashraf is keen to get the approval for the new captain in the meeting.

Talking to reporters after signing a sponsorship deal with an international bank for domestic cricket, the chairman said the board would announce the new captain after discussing all aspects.

UNI