Malik focuses on India after West Indies rout
Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said Monday that hard work was needed
ahead of next year's high-profile series against archrivals India,
despite his team's 3-0 whitewash of the West Indies.
Malik led Pakistan to a clean-sweep of the West Indies here on
Sunday, a victory he believed will lift the morale of the team for the
January-February series against India, who recently completed a 2-0
victory in a Test series against world champions Australia.
"We need to work hard for the series against India and I am sure
after this win with our morale high, we will put our best efforts in the
next series," Malik said.
India is due to play an exhibition match, three Tests, five one-day
matches and a Twenty20 international on their tour of Pakistan.
However the tour may be relocated to neutral venues in the wake of
increased security fears in Pakistan.
Malik praised his Indian counterpart Mahendra Singh Dhoni who took
over the Test captaincy from the now retired Anil Kumble.
"Dhoni is an excellent captain and under him India is a very strong
side, but we have two months to get ready for India and I am sure that
the boys will do their best and the team management (will) plan well for
that series," said Malik.
Malik said Pakistan must continue the commitment and the team effort
they showed against the West Indies in the three-match series.
"When we came here to play the West Indies we had thought about
commitment and team effort and I am pleased that the boys put up their
best," he said.
Pakistan beat the West Indies by 31 runs in the third and final match
here on Sunday.
Pakistan's total of 273-6 was built around a brilliant hundred by
Younus Khan and an unbeaten 79 by Misbahul Haq.
The West Indies were cruising as skipper Chris Gayle notched 122 and
added 151 for the second wicket with Ramnaresh Sarwan (62), before
collapsing to lose their last nine wickets for just 74 runs.
Younus, declared man-of-the-match, said he hoped Pakistan will carry
on the good work against India.
"I hope the boys carry the momentum and do their best against India.
I think India is the same team we played against last year so it will be
a good series," he said.
ABU DHABI, Tuesday, AFP |