Ponting wants to play Pakistan

Ponting wants to play Pakistan

Cricinfo staff

January 1, 2008

	Ricky Ponting would support the Pakistan series being played at a neutral venue if the concerns of players including Andrew Symonds prove justified © Getty Images

Ricky Ponting would prefer the Pakistan series scheduled for March to be held at a neutral venue if it is cancelled due to safety concerns. Pakistan's already unstable political situation has worsened in the aftermath of the death of Benazir Bhutto, the opposition leader, and some of the players have expressed concerns about touring.

While acknowledging Pakistan would not want to move the three Tests away from home, which it did in 2002-03 when the series was staged in Sharjah and Sri Lanka, Ponting was keen for it to go ahead. "It's been made clear that they wouldn't like to [play at a neutral venue]," Ponting said in Sydney. "I'd like to be playing cricket at that stage."

Australia has not toured Pakistan since the series of Mark Taylor's 334 in 1998-99, but the Pakistan Cricket Board also has the option to defer the contest if reports from the ICC and Cricket Australia conclude the situation is unsafe. "We haven't played a lot of Test cricket against Pakistan in the last few years," Ponting said. "I'd rather be playing cricket than not be playing."

Andrew Symonds and Brett Lee have spoken about the problems in Pakistan and Ponting said the events surrounding Bhutto's death had created concerns. "But we're always going to be guided by experts in Australia and Pakistan to see how the situation is," he said. "It's out of our control." Cricket Australia will send a security delegation to Pakistan in February before a decision is made.

© Cricinfo

Malik hopes for a positive 2008

Malik hopes for a positive 2008

	Shoaib Malik: "Our series win over Sri Lanka and runners-up finish to India in the Twenty20 were the bright points and if we keep that sort of intensity we can also improve our Test performance" © AFP

Shoaib Malik hopes Pakistan will put the miseries of 2007 behind them and bounce back with strong performances in the next 12 months.

"Apart from a few positives the last year was not very good for us, but I am sure that the team will settle and do well in the new year, in which we have to play Australia and [compete] in various important tournaments," Malik said.

Pakistan had a year to forget, crashing out of the World Cup in the first round, where their coach Bob Woolmer also died. Woolmer's death came a day after Pakistan's loss to Ireland and overshadowed Pakistan's premature ejection.

The defeat prompted Inzamam-ul Haq to relinquish the captaincy and quit one-day cricket. Malik, 25, took over after first-choice Younis Khan declined to take charge citing personal reasons, while Mohammad Yousuf was not considered for the job.

Malik led Pakistan to a one-day series win over World Cup runners-up Sri Lanka before his team reached the final of the Twenty20 World Championship held in September in South Africa. "Our series win over Sri Lanka and runners-up finish to India in the Twenty20 were the bright points and if we keep that sort of intensity we can also improve our Test performance," he said.

Pakistan lost all three of their Test series - two against South Africa (home and away) and to India in India late last year. They also lost the one-day series against South Africa and India and were relegated to sixth in both one-day and Test rankings.

"It's not that we lost one-sided contests, but the notable thing was that we made minor mistakes and if we have learnt from those mistakes, which I am confident we have, then we can do well in this new year."

Pakistan face Zimbabwe in a five-match one-day home series later this month before playing hosts to Australia - a series which Malik hopes will raise his team's confidence. "Whenever you play against Australia your confidence rises because they are a world-class team and I hope that if we do well it will help us in the Champions Trophy later this year," he said.

Malik also played down fears that Australia could pull out of the tour after last week's assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and the ensuing unrest in the country. Ricky Ponting said he was keen to play Pakistan, but at a neutral venue. "I don't see the series being disturbed over security fears because things will settle down and the Pakistan Cricket Board and players like me will do our best to have this series on our grounds," Malik said.

© The News

Happy New Year 2008

Wishing Everybody a Humble and Peaceful New Year...!

Bidding Farewell to 2007

You Gave us Happiness, You gave us Sorrow, You gave us surprises, You Gave Us Shock, You taught us Many things...Bye Bye 2007

Welcoming New Hopes, New Dreams, New Wishes, New Resolutions...Welcoming 2008...
Hope This Year brings Peace, Harmony and Love...

Ameen!

*_*_* Taare Zameen Par *_*_*

Hats Off! _--_!

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