Looking at Shoaib Malik after his side’s mauling by India in the Asia Cup, it wasn’t difficult to see that the Pakistan skipper was heartbroken at how the effort he had made had been rendered futile and understand that the day that went by had simply been one of the lowest moments of his career as captain so far.

But from the time he came into the conference room, where local journalists waited eagerly with their questions, till he left, the grilling that Malik faced for the six-wicket loss to India was merciless.

“Do you think the combination isn’t settled as yet?” asked one journalist and Malik, who had himself decided to open the innings and had scored a polished 125 off 119 balls, could do nothing but stare at him. No sooner had he thought of an answer, came another query. “Are you disappointed with some players?”

Here, the Pakistani skipper gave a statement that could send ripples in the Pakistan Cricket Board once again. “I have to play with the team that the selectors provide,” he said. Immediately trying to pounce on what Malik had just said, the journalists shot back: “Do you mean the selectors don’t take your view into consideration? Do you have a say at all?” To this, Malik replied: “I give my views, but the selectors take the final decision.”

The last straw had still not been drawn and a drained Malik, probably realising might have put his foot in his mouth, decided not to elaborate. But the questions hadn’t died down. Another journalist raised his hand and asked: “Who selected the eleven for this (vs India) match? Did you have a say?” Probably just to cut the conversation, the skipper murmured, “Yes, I did.”

... contd.