English lessons for Malik; PCB mulling classes at NCA

Lahore, July 13 (UNI) In a bid to improve the image and language skills of the team, Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has decided to be more ''media savvy'' by opting for English classes from a specially appointed tutor.

''Shoaib Malik is very serious about his image and that of the country.

''He realises the importance of a modern day cricket captain being media savvy and having the confidence and proficiency in an international language,'' a source was quoted by 'The News'.

Poor command over English has been a cause of embarrassment for the Pakistani players for long and has often put them into unwanted controversies generated by an international media which was unable to interpret them after a press conference or prize distribution ceremony.

The situation reached such a nadir during the World Cup in the West Indies, that Pakistani media manager Pervez Mir said that captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and other players would not address press conferences in English and he would act as a translator for the benefit of international media.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) had to step in and remind the team management of the necessity to speak in English at prize distribution ceremonies for the international television audience.

Malik's endeavour has also found support from the PCB which is mulling a proposal to start classes in English for young players attending the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and training camps.

The 25-year-old was appointed as the captain after Pakistan suffered an shameful World Cup exit.

UNI