Appoint captains on a series-by-series basis - Qadir

While the PCB mulls an extension of Shoaib Malik's captaincy tenure, chief selector Abdul Qadir has suggested the leader of the Pakistan team should be selected on a series-by-series basis.

"Although it is up to the PCB chairman to appoint the captain, a series-to-series appointment automatically keeps the leader under check and balance," Qadir said. Another suggestion Qadir has put forward is to have separate captains for Tests and ODIs. "The Test and ODI captains will search for talents and will not feel the burden."

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt has already hinted Malik will be given an extension. "Shoaib Malik will remain as the Pakistan captain till the time he continues to deliver," Butt had said. "I believe that he has done a good job in recent times."

Malik, who was handed the reins following Pakistan's early exit in the 2007 World Cup, said a captain should be given 'adequate time' to prove himself and obtain results. Pakistan have had mixed success under Malik . They reached the finals of the ICC World Twenty20 in 2007, and last year they beat India in the Kitply Cup final in Bangladesh, followed by a 3-0 sweep in the ODI series against West Indies in Abu Dhabi in November. Malik led Pakistan to a country record 12 successive ODI wins in 2008, though the bulk of them came against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

However, Malik also lost both the home Test and ODI series to South Africa in 2007, as well as the Test and ODI series in India that followed. The team also failed to make it the final of the Asia Cup held in Pakistan in June-July 2008.

"During the last 18 months I have learnt a lot about life and cricket," Malik said. "Recently, Punjab won the Pentangular Cup and Sialkot Stallions lifted the Twenty20 cup for the third time under my captaincy."

Malik also came under criticism from former team-mate Mohammad Yousuf, who blamed the 'lack of respect' from the captain for his signing up with the ICL. There have also been reports of rifts between him and other senior players. However, Malik has found support from his coach Intikhab Alam, who believed he should be retained for another year. A final decision on his tenure is expected soon.