January 24, 2008	Thursday	Muharram 14, 1429

HYDERABAD, Jan 23: While brushing aside reports of a rift between him, selectors and coach, Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik vowed on Wednesday to take lead in the series against Zimbabwe to maintain Pakistan’s unbeaten record at Niaz Stadium.

“At times there is bickering between a husband and a wife but it doesn’t lead to divorce,” he replied in a lighter vein at a press conference.

He said there were some differences of opinion among them but it was always a positive thing.

“It doesn’t mean at all that we are having serious differences. We do have serious discussions and everyone supports his contention with logic and that is certainly a positive sign,” he said.

The skipper refused to be drawn into the discussion of media reports about discipline that had been brought into light by team manager Talat Ali in his report to the PCB.

“I am just concentrating on the match as the series is more important for me,” Malik remarked.

Malik said his team would try hard to win the match in Hyderabad and take 2-0 lead in the series.

The skipper said that every match should be fought till the last ball regardless of its outcome and teams should never give up hope.

“It can put anyone under pressure when it becomes the question of winning every match, but we will fight as a well-knit unit,” he said.

About playing at the Niaz Stadium, Malik said: “I myself have played two matches for PIA at this ground and I am very excited that I am playing here again,” he said.

He called for organising matches all over the country on the pattern of Hyderabad.

The skipper however admitted he committed some mistakes in 2007 and promised not to repeat them.

About the possibility of playing one more spinner, he said they had played with six bowlers in Jaipur and the decision would be taken after consultation with the selectors.

The skipper said the players who were performing well should be given chance and it was unfair to drop a player on the basis of one-match performance.

He was supportive of the idea that youngsters be given chance in the side. “There are some budding cricketers having potential of the game,” he observed.

He spoke high of debutant Nasir Jamshed, who had hit half century in his first match in Karachi.

“We have got a fine opener in the side and he has played confidently for which he must be appreciated.

“I wish he play cricket for a long time for the country,” he said while wishing Jamshed all the success.

Similarly, Malik said, Samiullah Niazi had also tried hard to get wickets but the pitch was flat.

Regarding series against Australia, he said, it was up to the PCB to take a decision.

Malik said all the players were fully fit and he would try that fitness report of every player be provided to the media in future.

He denied that his batsmen were reluctant to bat in different orders and said they were quite flexible and ready to play whenever asked.

Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya denied that his team was under pressure after losing the first match in Karachi.

“Pakistan is certainly a formidable side but we are not underdogs either,” he said.

Utseya said that every player in the present Zimbabwe team has played over 50 matches.

He added that his side was ready to chase any target and that was why he opted to field first in the first ODI but the team didn’t bowl and bat well after having a good start initially.

“I don’t think we played our best cricket in the first match and I also don’t think that Pakistan would whitewash the series but we certainly need to improve ourselves,” he said.

The Zimbabwe captain further added that his bowlers did not bowl well and the middle-order did not give good results.

He was least concerned whether Shoaib Akhtar was playing or not as he believed that in international cricket the teams had to face express bowlers.

Zimbabwe coach Robin Brown disclosed that changes in the team were likely but it would be decided after the net session and team meeting.

“Every player of the team is fit. We are ready for a fight back,” the coach concluded.