Ashraf hopes for a better performance from Pakistan in tests

New Delhi, November 21 (UNI) Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief, Nasim Ashraf has backed his national team and captain Shoaib Malik, saying that with experience Malik will mature into a successful leader.

''People criticising Malik should show patience because I am confident that with time he is going to become a successful captain and an inspiring leader,'' Ashraf told reporters here yesterday.

Pakistan's recent loss to India brought a lot of criticisms for Malik from all quarters. Malik himself, did not perform too well in the series apart from the 89 that he scored in the final inconsequential match at Jaipur on Sunday.

However, Ashraf said that he is hopeful that the all-rounder will put up a better show in the Test series. ''The way he played in the final one-dayer was a sign that Malik is regaining his form,'' he said.

He said that he spoke to the team players and adviced them to put up a better performance added with competitive aggression in the test series.''The boys have learnt from their mistakes and I'm looking forward to a better showing from them in the Tests,''he added.

The first test match of the series will start from tomorrow at Feroz Shah Kotla.

UNI