Malik in trouble for batting order complaint

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has invited trouble with his criticism of the team's frequent batting reshuffle in the Champions Trophy with the board reviewing if it amounts to contract violation.

Malik drew the ire of captain Younis Khan and coach Intikhab Alam after blaming the team management for indulging in too much shuffling of the batting order in the Champions Trophy.

Sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that the PCB was now reviewing Malik's statement in which he said that he would not bat as an opener or one-down batsman in future as it affected his batting.

Malik, who was replaced by Younis earlier this year as the skipper of the side, said one reason for the batsmen struggling for consistent form was because the team management shuffled around the batting order a lot.

The PCB, however, is not amused and a board source said, "We are looking to see if Malik's statement is a violation of his central contract".

Younis and Intikhab, meanwhile, have already made their feelings clear.

Intikhab said that as far as he was concerned no player could dictate to the team management which position he would bat on.

"I don't know why Malik made such a statement because if you want to play for Pakistan then you have to be prepared for a change in your batting order if the team requires this," Intikhab said.

Intikhab made it clear that any changes in the batting order were made because of the given situation. "There is no attempt to disturb any player," he said.

Intikhab said he believed that in modern day cricket, especially in ODIs and Twenty20, a team needs to be flexible in its approach to the game and not play to a set pattern.

Younis also made it clear that any one in the national team was required to be prepared to bat at any position if the team required this.

"I have myself opened the innings in Australia and batted at different positions, including at number three, this year against Sri Lanka. Being professional cricketers we have to adjust accordingly," he said.

Malik also came under criticism from former Pakistan captain, Rashid Latif who said any player who refused to bat at the position suggested by the team management would not be in his team.

"Any player who says he will not at this or that position he will never be in my team because no exceptions can be made for anyone," Latif said.

Malik was sent in at number three in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy against New Zealand and failed after he had scored a match-winning hundred against India in an earlier match batting lower down the order.