Rediff

Islamabad, Apr 19: Shoaib Malik was on Thursday appointed the captain of the Pakistan cricket team with an under fire cricket establishment hoping that the young all-rounder will be able to turn around the fortunes of the side following the World Cup fiasco.

The 25-year-old was formally named as successor to Inzamam-ul Haq at a press conference in Lahore, piping senior team-mate Mohammad Yousuf to do the job after first choice Younis Khan refused to take up the challenge for personal reasons.

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Naseem Ashraf said Malik will be the captain till the end of the year in both Tests and One-Day International matches.

"At the end of the year, we will review his performance and decide for the future. We have picked Malik with an eye on the future," he told media persons, adding, "He is a unanimous choice. He is the best man to lead the team."

Malik has played 137 one-day internationals and 18 Tests, and has been among the most improving players of the country in recent years. He has earned the tag of being a useful utility player in both modes of the sport.

Ashraf said he was confident that all players, including the seniors, would support Malik.

"These are difficult times for Pakistan cricket, particularly after the World Cup. But we have to keep the future in mind and hopefully have a good team on its feet when the Champions Trophy is held in Pakistan in 2008," he said.