Malik fighting with form to post another win at home

New Delhi, May 7 (UNI) All-rounder Shoaib Malik, who hasn't had a great run in the Indian Premier League so far, is hopeful that things will change in his favour and said he is too focussed on the tournament and controversies back home in Pakistan hardly affect him.

Malik, who joined his Delhi Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag here today to address the mediapersons after a practice session, said, ''I want to concentrate on my performance at the moment and issues relating to Shoaib Akhtar are not what my focus is on.'' However, the Pakistan captain refrained himself from saying anything about fast bowler Shoiab Akhtar's temporary stay on the five-year ban.

Daredevils are yet to play a match against Kolkata Knight Riders who will have the Akhtar in their ranks when the two teams face each other next.

''I have played a lot with Shoaib (Akhtar) so that will help me do better against him.

Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board had discouraged Misbah-Ul-Haq from being associated with liquor baron Vijay Mallya owned Bangalore Royal Challengers.

But the Daredevils too have Kingfisher as one of the sponsors.

However, Malik did not have an answer to that but immediately his captain Sehwag chipped in and said, ''We are sponsered by the Kingfisher Airlines which has nothing to do with beer.'' On the eve of the match against Chennai Super Kings, Malik said he was practising hard to fulfill the expectations attached with his name.

''I know there are a lot of expectations from me and I am personally not happy with my current form. But I am working hard and hopefully things will come good for me,'' Malik said.

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