Shoaib Malik reluctant to play World Cup due to fear of being called for 'chucking': Reports

Shoaib Malik

Pakistan announced their 30-man preliminary squad for the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, starting in February, on Sunday. The inclusion of Shoaib Malik did come as a surprise for a few, considering that he hasn’t played an ODI for his country since the Champions Trophy in June last year.

Sources close to the 32-year-old have told PTI that he is a bit hesitant to make himself available for the mega event next year, fearing that he too may be called for a suspect action if he is picked in the team and also because he doesn't want to put his participation in domestic T20 competitions in doubt.

"Malik is working on his bowling action and bowling more these days but he is concerned as he has some lucrative contracts to play in foreign T20 leagues in coming months and doesn't want to jeopardize them at this stage," one source said.

Following the ban on Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan’s hopes were pinned on Mohammad Hafeez to provide them the much-needed variety and balance in the attack. But the 34-year-old was banned from bowling after all his deliveries were found to be exceeding the 15-degree limit as permitted by the ICC. That meant that the side were short on spin bowling resources, which eventually led to them picking Malik in the squad.

"There is a debate going on that Malik could be considered for World Cup selection as an all-rounder if both Saeed and Hafeez are not able to get their bowling actions cleared in time by the ICC," another source said.

Malik would be called for a suspect action as soon as he returns: Rameez Raja

Former Pakistan cricketer-turned-commentator Rameez Raja and speedster Shoaib Akhtar also felt that Malik would be called for chucking as soon as he starts bowling in international cricket.

"The ICC's new protocol is tough for bowlers and off-spinners and he could face problems but he now definitely can be considered because of his all-round abilities," Rameez said.

Akhtar, meanwhile, said that the board should first confirm with Malik whether he is sure about playing for the country again.

"I don't know whether he will be willing to take a risk by bowling in international cricket and jeopardize his lucrative T20 contracts unless he is 100 percent sure about his action himself," the 39-year-old said.

A source in the PCB informed Maik had told his friends that he had mentally prepared himself for a comeback to the national team following the World Cup as he wasn't happy with the way that Hafeez and captain Misbah-ul-Haq had treated him.

Malik has established himself as an effective T20 cricketer in various leagues around the world in recent years, and was part of the Hobart Hurricanes team that played in the Champions League Twenty20 (CL T20) earlier this year.