'It's difficult to pinpoint favourites in T20'

KARACHI: Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik on Sunday said they were no favourites in the upcoming Twenty20 four-nation tournament in Toronto, Canada as any team could win on its day in the quickest version of the game.
    
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Canada are taking part in the event to be staged from October 10 to 14.
    
"Look Zimbabwe upset Australia in the World Cup last year and there have been other upset results as well. I just feel in the Twenty20 format any team can win if its batsmen or bowlers click on a particular day.
    
"Unlike Tests and one-day internationals where the long duration of matches expose the limitations of weak sides in 20 overs match they can manage to cover it up," he said.
    
Malik, however, conceded that Pakistan and Sri Lanka clearly had an edge over the other two teams in terms of experience and strength.
    
"But we will go there with an open mind and take no chances at all. We have in mind we are playing international cricket after three months," Malik added.
    
The Pakistan skipper has himself been under pressure over his captaincy with former players and critics calling for his removal.
    
Pakistan's former Test leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has sparked off a new debate by suggesting that Shahid Afridi would make a better captain than Malik and also become a more responsible player.

Malik made it clear he was not worried about what others had to say about his captaincy.
    
"I only take notice of constructive opinions. If somebody thinks so and so he has every right to his opinion. As far as I am concerned as long as the Board reposes confidence in me I will carry on and the players are also behind me," he said.     

Malik said the four-nation event in Toronto was important for Pakistan cricket team as it had been a bad year for Pakistan.
    
"There has been a lot happening and the refusal of teams to tour Pakistan because of the security situation has obviously affected the players as well. We just want to do well in Toronto and give our people something to cheer about."
    
He declined to comment on the selection issues saying the selectors were the final judges and his job was to give inputs.
    
"But I do believe that if a player is in form it does not matter which form of the game he is playing, he will do his bit."