Thursday, February 4, 2010

Malik Targets Winning End

Pakistan face Australia in the final match of their tour on Friday, as the tourists look to win back some pride after what has been a dismal tour Down Under.

The Twenty20 international held at the MCG will conclude the series and Pakistan, who are the world champions in this form of the game, will be hoping to come away with their first victory of the tour.

Stand-in skipper Shoaib Malik will take charge for the match, due to the suspension of Shahid Afridi.

And Malik, 28, is determined to ensure Pakistan leave Australia on a high, insisting the team will put everything into this match.

Malik said: "We have to win this game. We are professionals and we are not (simply) looking forward to us going back to our country after 100 days.
Criticism

"We're just concentrating on tomorrow's match. The Test matches and one-dayers have finished now and we have just one Twenty20 (international) left.

"So we have to put everything in this match, we'll 100 per cent try to win this game."

Australia's Twenty20 skipper Michael Clarke has been receiving some criticism for his Twenty20 performances - a format of the game he averages just 19.63 with the bat.

Questions are now beginning to be asked about his role in the team and many are wondering whether he suits this form of cricket.

Former Australia batsmen Mark Waugh believes the 28-year-old should step aside and has highlighted Cameron White as a perfect replacement.

When speaking to Fox Sports, Waugh added: "I don't think (Clarke's batting) is suited all that well to Twenty20 cricket.

"With that back injury, I'm just thinking will it (playing Twenty20 matches) shorten his career? Cameron White could easily be captain."

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