‘Shoaib Malik not to get PCB’s central contract soon’

Australia.

“I don’t think Malik will get the central contract now for this year as he has failed to impress even the selectors with his performances in England,” a source on the Board said.

“He has played three Tests so far on the tour and despite being the senior-most player in the team has failed to give any inspiring performances,” he added. Malik came into the team for the England tour after the Board reversed a 12-month ban and halved his fine of Rs 2 million.

During the course of an investigation into the team’s poor show in Australia,Malik was blamed directly for causing unrest in the team and not supporting his captain. “I don’t think the selectors will now recommend his name for a central contract as they were told to recommend further names for the contract on basis of performances alone,” the source said.

Malik being the senior-most player has in the past been given the A category slab of central contracts guaranteeing him a monthly salary of Rs 250,000 even if he does not play for Pakistan.

Malik along with Mohammad Yousuf,Younus Khan and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan had failed to get a new central contract after being slapped with fines and bans following the inquiry held by the Board into the performance during the Australian tour.

Sources said the Board had asked selectors for feedback as the contracts were due to be reviewed again later this month.

PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt had previously said Malik would get the central contract only after approval by the selection committee.

Malik,one of the most experienced players in the team with 31 Tests and 192 ODIs,has scored just 89 runs in three Tests in England besides making 46 from his two outings in the Asia Cup that was held in Sri Lanka.

Sources also said fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar,who was dropped for the Test series in England after playing in the T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup one-day tournaments in

Sri Lanka,was likely to get recommended for a contract.