Pak players have learnt their lessons following Down Under disaster: Shoaib Malik

Stand-in Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, who would be leading the side in the two T20 matches against England in Dubai, has said that the players have learnt their lessons following the recent ‘nightmare’ tour Down Under.

Malik said his team is looking forward to an improved performance in the T20 series, rather than pondering over the past.

“When you lose these things come up but I’m sure that you learn from your mistakes. We have had quite a few team meetings, we’ve talked about everything and what we did in Australia. We learn from these mistakes,” Malik said.

Malik termed the series as a good opportunity for the team to fine tune its performance before the ICC T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to begin in April in the Caribbean.

“It’s an opportunity to utilise the time before the World Twenty20. We have two matches against England and they are a good side. We have in our team some youngsters who are very talented and they are getting their opportunity. I’m hoping and I’m sure they will do well,” The Daily Times quoted Malik, as saying.

He also expressed hope that international cricket would soon return to Pakistan, as things were improving in the country.

“We are struggling a little bit back home but we are hoping to get international cricket back in our country. Things are getting better; it’s going to take a little bit of time but soon I think we will see international cricket back in our country,” he said.

Meanwhile, team manger Yawar Saeed said the Pakistani team would like to forget the disastrous tour of Australia and Shahid Afridi’s bizarre act of chomping the ball to give its best during the upcoming T20 matches.

 “Afridi. eating a ball? Let’s say it. It was a very unfortunate thing but it’s had a hearing with the ICC and he’s been given a ban for two matches. As far as we are concerned, we would like to make it history,” Saeed said.