PAKISTAN LOOK TO SHOAIB TO REVIVE GLORY DAYS
 Hong Kong, October 20, 2010 – Former Test and one-day international captain Shoaib Malik will lead Pakistan in their bid to win the Hong Kong Sixes for the first time since a Wasim Akram-led team won in 2002.
Malik, who was in charge of Pakistan for a two-year spell from 2007 to 2009, will be at the head of a team mixed with seasoned campaigners and a couple of youngsters with raw talent for the Karp Group/PC Jeweller Hong Kong Cricket Sixes on November 6-7.
Apart from Malik, the others with test and one-day international experience include opening batsman Imran Nazir, and fast bowlers Shabbir Ahmed and Sohail Khan. The rest of the squad comprises youngsters Shoaib Khan, a left-hand opening batsman, all-rounder Asad Ali and teenage batsman Ahmed Shehzad.
"It is as very strong side and with Shoaib Malik leading the team, Pakistan will be very competitive," said Hong Kong Cricket Association president Captain Shahzada Saleem Ahmed.
Malik, who played in the last test series against England, will be remembered by local fans for his stubborn century in the 2004 Asia Cup in Colombo which earned Pakistan a face-saving victory against Hong Kong.
"We are very grateful to the Pakistan Cricket Board for sending a full-strength squad, one which I believe will pose a real threat to the other teams," Captain Saleem added.
Malik, who earlier this year married Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, will be the centre of attraction as Pakistan try to make up for average performances in the last couple of years and win the event. Next to England, they are the most successful team in the history of the Hong Kong Sixes having won four titles.
Pakistan is drawn with arch-rivals India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand in the preliminary Sobers Group. The Bradman Group comprises England, Australia, defending champions South Africa and hosts Hong Kong.
The US$150,000 tournament will also feature China's Asian Games-bound squad who will play an exhibition match against a Hong Kong Development team on the Sunday of the tournament at the Kowloon Cricket Club.
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