Shoaib sets long-term goal

Shoaib Malik © Getty Images

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Newly-appointed Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has targeted the next World Cup in the sub-continent and outlined fielding as a key area of improvement as the team prepare for a new era.

The 25-year-old all-rounder was appointed as the successor to Inzamam-ul-Haq, who resigned in the aftermath of their Caribbean failure, and wants the team to build a strong young foundation for the tournament in four years’ time.

“Our real target is the next World Cup and we have to do everything to ensure that the boys are ready for that,” he said.

Malik emphasised the importance that will be given to fielding, an aspect of the game in which Pakistan have been notoriously weak in recent times.

“Our fielding has been very poor in the past and obviously we need to work extra hard to improve that,” he said ahead of his side’s departure for a one-day series against Sri Lanka in Dubai next month.

“The arrival of a baseball coach to work on that is a good idea and I am sure we will benefit a lot from him.”

Shoaib also highlighted the three upcoming games against the World Cup finalists as a building programme for the new squad.

“The results in the series are not so important. It allows us to give a lot of youngsters the chance to get some experience on the international scene,” he added.

The 35-man squad will train in Lahore until May 4, before being trimmed to 15 for the three-match series.