Malik focuses on India after West Indies rout by AFP

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Player:

Shoaib Malik

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DateLine: 17th November 2008

 

Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said Monday that hard work was needed ahead of next year's high-profile series against archrivals India, despite his team's 3-0 whitewash of the West Indies.

 

Malik led Pakistan to a clean-sweep of the West Indies here on Sunday, a victory he believed will lift the morale of the team for the January-February series against India, who recently completed a 2-0 victory in a Test series against world champions Australia.

 

"We need to work hard for the series against India and I am sure after this win with our morale high, we will put our best efforts in the next series," Malik said.

 

India is due to play an exhibition match, three Tests, five one-day matches and a Twenty20 international on their tour of Pakistan.

 

However the tour may be relocated to neutral venues in the wake of increased security fears in Pakistan.

 

Malik praised his Indian counterpart Mahendra Singh Dhoni who took over the Test captaincy from the now retired Anil Kumble.

 

"Dhoni is an excellent captain and under him India is a very strong side, but we have two months to get ready for India and I am sure that the boys will do their best and the team management (will) plan well for that series," said Malik.

 

Malik said Pakistan must continue the commitment and the team effort they showed against the West Indies in the three-match series.

 

"When we came here to play the West Indies we had thought about commitment and team effort and I am pleased that the boys put up their best," he said.

 

Pakistan beat the West Indies by 31 runs in the third and final match here on Sunday.

 

Pakistan's total of 273-6 was built around a brilliant hundred by Younus Khan and an unbeaten 79 by Misbahul Haq.

 

The West Indies were cruising as skipper Chris Gayle notched 122 and added 151 for the second wicket with Ramnaresh Sarwan (62), before collapsing to lose their last nine wickets for just 74 runs.

 

Younus, declared man-of-the-match, said he hoped Pakistan will carry on the good work against India.

 

"I hope the boys carry the momentum and do their best against India. I think India is the same team we played against last year so it will be a good series," he said.

 

Younus said Indian captain Dhoni was both aggressive and lucky.

 

"Whatever Dhoni does it clicks, but for me his real test will come when luck deserts him. We hope that comes against Pakistan," said Younus, who will return to South Australia to complete his maiden stint there.

 

"Playing in South Australia is great and it helped me in my batting."

(Article: Copyright © 2008 AFP)