Malik focuses on the cricket

Shaoib Malik has come under fire from various quarters in his role as Pakistan captain

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Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik is looking forward to putting off-field problems behind the team when they make a long-awaited return to one-day international cricket in their three-match series against West Indies in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan cricket has been beset by crisis in the past 12 months during which they have been inactive on the Test scene, while also managing to play just five ODIs against established Test-playing nations.

Their sparse schedule has been a result of other nations not wanting to tour Pakistan because of a perceived security threat.

Australia postponed a series earlier this year while the ICC Champions Trophy endured the same fate after other countries voiced the same security concerns.

But the team’s problems have not been restricted to their inactivity with paceman Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar both embroiled in controversies while Geoff Lawson was sacked as coach last month by the overhauled Pakistan Cricket Board.

Star batsman Mohammad Yousuf has also had his contract severed.

Malik himself has not been immune to the problems to plague his side with reports of player unrest regarding his captaincy in recent months.

It is therefore hardly surprising Malik is looking to focus on matters on the pitch, and to start new coach Intikhab Alam’s tenure in a positive fashion, ahead of the West Indies series which begins at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium tomorrow.

“This may just be one of the most important series we have played in recent times and we are eager to do well,” Malik said.

“We are hosting India early next year and we need to get into some kind of rhythm before that. We have a few youngsters in the side and this may be their only chance to prove their ability in international cricket before we meet India.”

He added: “The pitch here is a very good one, maybe a bit biased towards the batsmen. That should help the West Indies as well because they have a very good batting side.”

Pakistan have selected a pace-strong bowling attack in their 15-man squad, highlighted by the selection of Akhtar.

Chris Gayle (right) comes to the Abu Dhabi series after leading the Superstars to the Stanford bounty

But Akhtar strained a calf muscle at practice and has found it difficult to even walk.

A team official said Akhtar would be put through a fitness test prior to the match before making a decision on his selection.

The 33-year-old still has an appeal against his 18-month ban handed down by the PCB hanging over his head, but despite his problems West Indies captain Chris Gayle remains wary of his threat.

"He (Shoaib) is always the key factor," Gayle said. "He is a wicket-taking bowler in a strong Pakistan pace attack.

"Besides Akhtar, they have Umar Gul, and backed by a strong batting line-up they are a very tough team, but if we compete well we can sneak a win in the first game for a good start.”

He added: “We know it will be a tough challenge because Pakistan always play well in one-day cricket and since we have not played here and Pakistan have, they have the home advantage.”

Gayle and his squad arrived in Abu Dhabi earlier this week fresh from their participation in the multi-million dollar Stanford Super Series when a combined Stanford Superstars team defeated England by 10 wickets.

And while Gayle admitted it was “nice” to secure that money-spinning win, his team are now focused on their series against Pakistan, which precedes a tour of New Zealand.

West Indies have seven players among their 15-man squad with fewer than 10 ODIs to their name and Gayle said it was important that those players look to establish a place in the team.

"Beating England was nice and we worked really hard for that,” he said.

“Now it's a new series and every series is important for us, no matter who the opponent is, and winning this one will give us more confidence.

"We have some exciting newcomers like Lionel Baker, who played in Canada, then we have Shawn Findlay and Brendan Nash, so these guys have an opportunity to prove themselves against (good opponents)."