Give Shoaib Malik a chance!

Pakistan's selectors have reportedly told captain Shoaib Malik to perform or face the axe.

This comes as no surprise. The men entrusted with running the game in Pakistan are getting edgy and illogical.

Admittedly, Pakistan cricket has hit an all-time low in recent times. Drug scandals, player walkouts and controversies are halting the progress of a former champion team.

Somebody's got to shake the whole system up so that Pakistan can get back on track again. This won't happen quickly as the game of politics is mixed up with cricket.

That is not all. There are dozens of former cricketers who spew venom at the slightest opportunity on the team, probably venting their own frustrations from times gone by.

This is the time to rally around the team. These former cricketers should put their hands up and try and help iron out deficiencies.

The selectors go about axing players at the drop of a hat. Players not good enough for the top level have won Pakistan caps and the deserving left out.

A player as talented as Salman Butt had to struggle to hold on to his place but thanks to his persistence, he has now made it.

Butt was actually named vice-captain of the side when Malik took over but he was quickly sidelined.

Premier fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's career has been almost obliterated at his peak. Akhtar must take blame for this but the selectors could have helped out the Bad Boy of Pakistan cricket by using other methods instead of just punishments.

The Mohammed Asif drugs scandal has also been handled badly. A promising bowler may now find himself in the wilderness for a long time.

Both Akhtar and Asif need serious counselling. The Pakistan board would do well to arrange that as quickly as possible.

Consistent selection is the need of the hour for Pakistan. Good players must be persisted with even during difficult periods.

Players as talented as Shahid Afridi must be given longer run in both one-dayers and Tests. Afridi has a good enough Test record to be given another chance. His bowling has also improved and he could easily be a second spinner in the team.

Malik's fate is almost sealed unless he pulls off a miracle. That may not happen easily. Criticism should also stop about his batting because he has done well enough to be in the team. Short-term lack of form should not be used as criteria to pass judgements on him. If he wasn't good enough as a player, he shouldn't have been captain in the first place.

Give Malik a chance and don't put added pressure on him. The Pakistan board needs to the get its equation right first before Malik can start to deliver.