da cassino： Shoaib Malik’s place in the squad has been the subject of much discussion after he was dropped in New Zealand
Osman Samiuddin at Bellerive Oval17-Jan-2010
Shoaib Malik says he has a little more confidence after his half-century in Hobart•Getty Images
Ricky Ponting expressed his surprise before this Test that ShoaibMalik wasn’t in Pakistan’s side, though that in itself would haveshocked a lot of people in Pakistan. Malik’s place in the squadhas been the subject of much discussion after he was dropped in NewZealand after two failures.But continuing misses from Misbah-ul-Haq and Faisal Iqbal allowed Malik to come back and a patient 58 and a poor dismissalmeant both Ponting and his critics at home can claim victory. “I wasstruggling a little in Tests,” Malik said after the third day. “In Sri Lanka last year I hit ahundred but then played two Tests in New Zealand where I didn’t score. Ipracticed a lot after that, talked to [Mohammad] Yousuf about battingbecause he is the best batsman in the side.”I could’ve scored a little more [in Hobart] as well and probably waited more. But ifwe had batted a little longer it would’ve been better. It’s good to score aftera while and it’s given me a bit more confidence now. Australia and NewZealand have similar wickets and it was just that my confidence was alittle down earlier.”One of the reasons why Malik’s Test spot is always underscrutiny is because he doesn’t have a set place in the order. He hasopened and batted in a few positions in the middle order, acknowledging it hasn’t helped him in his career. “In Tests, ODIs andT20s I have played everywhere and you have to be flexible,” Malik said. “I don’t have a favourite position as such. I am more comfortable in themiddle order.”Before I used to say you can put me anywhere andmaybe that didn’t help. But whenever I can score runs in three to fourinnings I will come back in to good form.”