Australians should come: Malik

Published January 2, 2008

LAHORE, Jan 1: Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has said that Australia should tour Pakistan as per schedule in March as the environment for the game was quite safe.

Talking to reporters on Tuesday, Shoaib said that though there were political problems in the country, conditions would improve and be quite conducive when the team from Down Under tours.

He stated that other foreign teams which had toured Pakistan in the past were accorded full security protocol and no untoward incident occurred.

Malik added that he and other players were ready to play their role to convince the Australians to undertake the tour.

He said it was a great opportunity for Pakistani cricketers to play against the world champions and it would also be good for the spectators to see great Australian players in action here.

He said it was the right of any touring team to review the security arrangements and Pakistan would also like to do the same before touring any country. But in Pakistan security was not a problem for the players as the country had all adequate security arrangements.

AFP adds: Malik hoped his players will put the miseries of 2007 behind them and bounce back with strong performances in the next 12 months.

“Apart from a few positives the last year was not very good for us, but I am sure that the team will settle and do well in the New Year,” he said.

“Our series win over Sri Lanka and runners-up finish to India in the World Twenty20... were the bright points and if we keep that sort of intensity we can also improve our Test performance.”

Pakistan lost all three of their Test series — two against South Africa (home and away) and to arch-rivals India in India late last year.

“It’s not that we lost one-sided contests, but the notable thing was that we made minor mistakes and if we have learnt from those mistakes, which I am confident we have, then we can do well in this new year,” said Malik.

Opinion

Editorial

ICJ rebuke
Updated 26 May, 2024

ICJ rebuke

The reason for Israel’s criminal behaviour is that it is protected by its powerful Western friends.
Hot spells
26 May, 2024

Hot spells

WITH Pakistan already dealing with a heatwave that has affected 26 districts since May 21, word from the climate...
Defiant stance
26 May, 2024

Defiant stance

AT a time when the country is in talks with the IMF for a medium-term loan crucial to bolstering the fragile ...
More pledges
Updated 25 May, 2024

More pledges

There needs to be continuity in economic policies, while development must be focused on bringing prosperity to the masses.
Pemra overreach
25 May, 2024

Pemra overreach

IT seems, at best, a misguided measure and, at worst, an attempt to abuse regulatory power to silence the media. A...
Enduring threat
25 May, 2024

Enduring threat

THE death this week of journalist Nasrullah Gadani, who succumbed to injuries after being attacked by gunmen, is yet...