LAHORE: Former national team skipper Shoaib Malik believes the friendly atmosphere and lesser gap between seniors and juniors in the current Pakistan side are encouraging signs for the future.

Talking to reporters on the first day of the short three-day training camp at the Gaddafi Stadium for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe, which starts from June 28, Malik said: “The good thing about this Pakistan team is that now players who are not even in the playing XI are expressing supportive attitude, which was not visible in the past.

“In the days gone by, there was also a large gulf between junior and senior team members. When I started my international career, a good number of star players were there. But now there are no such stars to speak of and there is no gap.

“The younger players have grown up but their bad luck is that they get fewer opportunities to perform before the home crowd. Many of them have given memorable performances abroad. And had they given those performances come before the local crowd, they would become star players,” Malik added. “No junior player can emerge as a performer until he’s willing to learn from the seniors, whose job is to help the youngsters grow in stature.”

Commenting on the coming trip to Zimbabwe, where Pakistan will play five One-day Internationals against the hosts after competing it in a tri-nation T20 tournament which also includes Australia, Malik said: “Expectations are high from this tour. Pakistan have been showing consistency in their performance is a big plus point because in the past we lacked consistency.”

Malik also hinted next year’s World Cup in England would be his last one-day event and following that he would only concentrate on playing T20 cricket.

“During my 19-year-old long career, Pakistan have won the ICC World T20 and the Champions Trophy. My desire before giving up 50-over cricket that Pakistan wins the World Cup because it is a dream which will come true Insha’Allah,” he said.

Malik reiterated he had no regrets at quitting Test cricket. “I thought of Pakistan before taking the decision. Some time you have to make tough calls. At the time I felt it was not well-thought decision but later time proved that it was right call.”

Malik warned it would be foolish to underestimate both Australia and Zimbabwe during the T20 series. “Mind the Australians are No 2 in the T20 world team rankings and under local conditions, Zimbabwe are not an easy side either. Therefore, we have to play very good cricket to beat both these teams.”

To a query about Mickey Arthur’s performance as Pakistan head coach, Malik said everyone has plus and minus points and no coach could be successful until the team wins consistently. “Under Mickey, he players are getting proper chances now.”

He also praised the selectors for building a good side. “The selectors have played lot of cricket themselves and they have the experience and knowhow to build a strong team.”

Meanwhile, Malik spared time to comment on the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Russia and revealed that Brazil is his favourite team since he is a great fan of football.

“Had Brazil failed to beat Costa Rica by not scoring two in the injury time, I would have been in depression as I have always been a great Brazil supporter. Football is one sport I truly love and even twisted my ankle twice by playing the sport!.”

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2018