Malik to lead Pakistan in T20 against Australia in place of 'banned' Afridi

Lahore, Feb.2 (ANI): All-rounder Shoaib Malik would lead Pakistan in the lone T20 international against Australia, which would be played in Melbourne on February 5, following regular T20 captain Shahid Afridi being banned for two matches on ball-tampering charges.

"Malik will lead the Pakistan team in the only Twenty20 match against Australia in the absence of Afridi," The Daily Times quoted a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson said here.

Malik will be the third captain on this tour, after Mohammad Yousuf and Afridi.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) had slapped a two-match ban on Afridi after video footage showed him 'tampering' with the ball by 'chewing' its seam during the fifth and final one-day international against Australia in Perth on Sunday.

Pakistan lost the match by two wickets and the series 5-0.

Malik enjoys a good record in the bang-bang version of the game as a captain, as he has lost only twice-in 14 matches. His batting and bowling averages are distinctly higher in matches in which he captained the side. (ANI)