'It was a mistake to accept the captaincy of Pakistan in 2007'

Pakistan's former captain and discarded all-rounder Shoaib Malik has said he made a mistake in his career to accept the captaincy of the national team
after the 2007 World Cup. 

"In retrospect, I think it would have been better if I had not accepted the captaincy in 2007. But I did it because I am not a selfish player," Malik said in an interview while playing in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy match in Karachi. 

"Now I think it was a mistake because I was young and when they made me captain clearly some senior players were not happy with me," he added. 

Malik was made captain after Pakistan made an unceremonious exit from the first round of the World Cup in the West Indies after which coach Bob Woolmer died in the team hotel from natural causes while later Inzamam-ul-Haq also retired as captain. 

Malik was sacked as captain after Pakistan lost a home series to Sri Lanka in early 2009 and the all-rounder said such is the volatile nature of Pakistan cricket when he was removed, he was beginning to have confidence he could build a strong side. 

"When I was removed as captain, I had gained a lot in confidence and knew a strong team could be built," he added. 

Malik has come under scrutiny for his bowling action in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy first class tournament while captaining his bank, ZTBL against Karachi Dolphins at the national stadium.

Although still to be officially reported to the Pakistan Cricket Board by the match officials, Malik out of favor with the selectors for a while now.

Malik, 32, last played for Pakistan in the ICC World T20 in Bangladesh this year but his last Test appearance was in August, 2010 and his last ODI appearance in the Champions Trophy last year, in England. 

Image: Shoaib Malik of Pakistan looks on during a nets session

Photo: Hamish Blair/Getty Images