Malik wishes to return to Pakistan cricket set-up as coach

Lahore, April 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former Pakistan batsman Saleem Malik on Wednesday said that he deserves another chance to serve the cricket set-up in the country. Malik played 103 Tests and 283 ODIs for Pakistan before he was banished from the game in 2000 for match-fixing.

"I should be given a chance to resume cricket and I am ready to coach at any level if Pakistan Cricket Board assigns me responsibility to groom fresh blood," Malik was quoted as saying in Pakistan media.

Malik pointed out that a court had given him the clean chit in 2008 and he was still overlooked by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) while Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and Sharjeel Imam have all been allowed to be involved in the Pakistan Super League. Aamir also continues to play for Pakistan in all formats except Test cricket from which he retired.

"Likewise I also deserve a chance to re-start cricket in the role of a coach based on my expertise and standing in the game", said the former batsman. "...despite clearance by the court, I do not know why I am being overlooked by the Pakistan Cricket Board as I am ready for coaching at any level," he said.

Earlier, former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who played with Malik in his early years, said that the latter deserved to be given a chance to return to cricket just as how the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) allowed former captain Mohammed Azharuddin to become president of the Hyderabad Cricket Association.

"It is unfortunate to see that his career ended like that. It should not have ended that way. But I believe he deserves a second innings to do something for the country," Inzamam said in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel. "Like in India, former captain Mohammad Azharuddin was also named once, but he is now the President of the Hyderabad Cricket Association. Similarly, Malik should also be involved in some kind of cricket related activities."

Source: IANS