SA v PAK 2018-19: Got captaincy only hours before the match started, says Malik

The veteran cricketer had to lead in absence of Sarfaraz Ahmed.

Usman Khan returned with match-figures of 4/35 | Getty

Shoaib Malik came to know that he is leading Pakistan in the fourth ODI against South Africa only hours before the first ball was delivered. The middle-order batsman had to lead as ICC suspended regular skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed for his racist comments on Andile Phehlukwayo. 

He eventually led the visitors towards an eight-wicket victory and ended Proteas' unbeaten run in the pink-day matches at Jo'burg. 

"I got to know that I will be captaining when we got to the ground," said Malik after levelling the five-match series 2-2, "The decision [to suspend Sarfraz Ahmed for his racially charged remarks] came this morning. I am not aware about the other matters [regarding the incident]." 

"I took over the charge just before the start of the game. My responsibility is to fulfil whatever my cricket board and team management demand from me."

Usman Khan ran through the hosts batting line-up with a spell of 4/35 to eventually bowl South Africa all out for just 164 runs, which Pakistan easily chased down in the 32nd over with Imam-ul-Haq(71*) scoring another half-century. 

"Of course, when a game slips away from your hand it frustrates you(the rain-curtailed game in Centurion which his team lost on DLS method by 13 runs)," Malik added, "But, the goal should be to give your best shot and that's what we had in our minds when we arrived at the ground today." 

"I must highlight that the bowlers were exceptional and they set the tone. And then, the batsmen delivered. Usman [Khan] bhai was exceptional today. In fact, not only him, I must mention the names of Shaheen Shah and Mohammad Amir. Early wickets are key in this format."

"He [Usman] was struggling but the way he bowled today was exceptional. Even our two spinners. Of course, he was man of the match but in my opinion all five bowlers bowled exceptionally well. Overall, it was an all-round performance which is pretty satisfying for our dressing room."

"It is not about performing in one department and lacking in other. If you perform in one department, you should keep up with the same pace in the others as well," he concluded. 

This win must have boosted the confidence a lot as Pakistan now gear up for their chance to clinch a second bilateral ODI series win in the rainbow nation. 

The fifth ODI in Cape Town kickstarts on Wednesday, January 30. 

(Inputs from AFP)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 28 Jan, 2019

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