PCB To Discuss Malik`s Deputy

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed a deputy to captain Shoaib Malik will be named after a board meeting on January 15.

The board decided to retain Malik as skipper despite the team's poor showing in India, but have opted to take more time in naming the vice-captain.

Salman Butt and Younis Khan have both shouldered the responsibility in recent times, but the board is keen to appoint someone on a permanent basis.

PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf told the Daily Times:

"The vice-captain will be named after the PCB's governing board meeting in Lahore on January 15.

"The PCB will select a 100% fit and mentally strong team member to meet the challenging responsibilities of captaincy in the absence of Shoaib Malik."

Misbah-ul-Haq, who was Pakistan's highest run-scorer in the Test series against India, is also believed to be in the running for the post, and the board chairman praised the recent efforts of the 33-year-old batsman.

"He played an excellent innings under pressure, when our top order had flopped against an experienced Indian bowling attack,"

said Ashraf.

"He has shown good temperament, and he is a well-educated and well-mannered member of the team."

The first test for the new vice-captain will come at the end of January, when Pakistan host Zimbabwe in a five-match one-day series.