LAHORE, April 14: Dashing all-rounder Shoaib Malik is being tipped as the new Pakistan captain amid reports that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is determined to get rid of ageing seniors in a bid to root out player-power.

Highly-placed sources in the board told Dawn that after Younis Khan’s refusal to lead Pakistan this week, Shoaib Malik has emerged as top candidate for the challenging job.

Sources said the PCB chief also considered the option of maverick pacer Shoaib Akhtar for leading the team but his chequered career record and unpredictable attitude has outweighed his talent for the coveted position.

Young Shoaib Malik made headlines a couple of years back while leading the Sialkot Stallions when he deliberately threw a national Twenty20 match to Karachi Dolphins. He later admitted and apologized for his action which he said was done to prevent the Lahore from entering the final through some absurd rule. His leadership qualities, however, have been at the forefront in domestic competitions and his fast-growing reputation as the new man-of-crisis for Pakistan has only strengthened his position.

As far as new coach of the team is concerned, though Aaqib Javed had offered his services, the Pakistan Academy team's performance under his coaching in the ongoing tour of Bangladesh does not speak well for his case, sources said.

Meanwhile, a seven-hour meeting held at the PCB offices on Saturday.

PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf headed the meeting with Chief Operating Officer Shafqat Naghmi, special advisor to chairman Saleem Altaf and Director Cricket Operations Zakir Khan in attendance.

Though the meeting failed to take any decisions about the restructing of the PCB it discussed various option to improve the working of the board.