Malik should get tough with players: Afridi

KARACHI: All-rounder Shahid Afridi wants captain Shoaib Malik to get more tough and demanding with the players for Pakistan to make a comeback in the current Test series against India.
   
Afridi, who was omitted from the squad for the three-match series after Pakistan lost the one-day rubber 2-3, on Tuesday said he believed Malik should be more proactive.
   
If a player(s) is not performing to his optimum level, the captain must be tough and demand more. I think our team was in a position to win the first Test," Afridi said in an interview.
   
The hard-hitting batsman felt Pakistan could have sealed the match on the third day when they were nosing ahead of India in their second innings.

"The batting didn't go all the way after a good start. I have no doubt if we had got another 80 to 100 runs, we could have won this Test match," he said.

Afridi said there was nothing wrong with the pitch at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground and with a little application, batsmen could have scored more runs.
   
"We were in a position to win the match which was very close. It was disappointing to lose out in the end. I am sure the rest of the team will be eager to make a comeback in the second Test in Kolkata. But the other bowlers also need to give more support to Shoaib Akhtar," he said.

Pakistan lost the low-scoring first Test by six wickets on Monday with Akhtar the standout bowler with six wickets, including four in the second innings.