Blade to decide Pakistan's fate - Malik

Shoaib Malik is optimistic Pakistan's batting will fire in the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa

Former captain Shoaib Malik believes batting will hold the key to Pakistan’s fortunes in the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.

The eight-team tournament kicks off in Johannesburg on September 22 and ICC World Twenty20 champions Pakistan are keen to add the trophy to their cabinet.

But Pakistan’s batting in recent months has been found wanting, with the team losing a one-day series against Australia in the United Arab Emirates in May and a Test and one-day series in Sri Lanka.

“We are professionals and have been training hard for the Champions Trophy,” he said.

“I know from experience that batting is the most important thing while playing in South Africa.

“Of course the wickets would assist the fast bowlers quite a bit and they would have an important role to play, but if our batting clicks we can win the competition.”

Malik has struggled with the bat recently and in 11 games this year has managed only one half-century.

His place in the middle-order has been under threat and, with Pakistan picking only one specialist opener for the tournament, the all-rounder is willing to open alongside Imran Nazir, provided he is given a long stint.

“I have no problems opening the innings,” Malik continued. “I have done it before but I don’t want to be used in this position for just two or three matches.

“I want to be given a decent opportunity and I need to be certain that I would be opening for 10 or 12 matches and not discarded after one or two failures.

“I struggled a bit in Sri Lanka but I’m confident of doing well in South Africa.”

Malik believes Pakistan have as much chance as any of the other teams of winning the tournament.

“The Champions Trophy is more competitive than the World Cup and no team is favourite to win the title,” Malik added.

“In the first phase a team needs to win at least two matches to progress to the semi-final, so you have to be at your best in each match.”