‘Survival mode’ adversely affecting Pakistan team's batting order: Malik

Pakistan’s former captain Shoaib Malik, in an interview with Cricket Pakistan, claimed that the ‘trying to survive’ mentality is adversely affecting the Pakistan cricket team while stressing that batsmen needed to be played in their respective positions.

The 39-year-old was adamant that switching batsmen around was hindering the development of the team.

“They need to try to play batsman according to their numbers because they have been playing in that role. If a person is in form, then you shouldn’t just start playing him at every number. At the end of the day, you don’t create a team or the right combination in this way. We only look for solution and try to survive on any given day. We do not think about the future. Failures will come, but you need to create a team that can give you consistent results, even if it is after six or seven months,” Malik said.

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“You have an important World T20 coming quickly and then you have a 50-over World Cup. These are things you need to review today that which track you want to pursue. Who are the players we need and then you need to give them consistent chances. Even if they fail, you need to back them,” he added.

The veteran all-rounder used the example of explosive youngster Haider Ali, who has seen his stock drop considerably on recent international tours.

“Haider Ali is an example. He is a very good player. We started with him at the top of the order then we switched him back down. Why do we get impressed by just one innings and then get disheartened by just one knock? Then we switch the player around. It shouldn’t be like this,” he said.

“They should back a player if they select him. If you back players then teams are formed. Only then can you achieve good results. At the end of the day, everyone’s goal is to win trophies. Inorder to win those you need a vision. I think we are lacking in this department. I think we need to improve on these things fast. That is why I said we need changes and we need them done really quickly,” he concluded.