Islamabad, Sept 4 : Former Pakistan cricket captain Intikhab Alam has said that Shoaib Malik didn't have the capability to keep his team together and that the PCB should start searching for a new captain.

"I don't think he has the ability to keep players together. Malik is not impressive at all and it is better the Pakistan Cricket Board should start looking for a new captain to lead the side against India at home next January," The News quoted Alam as saying.

Malik has led Pakistan in two Test series and lost both since he was elevated as skipper last year. His appointment as captain runs until December, but there is growing doubt the 26-year-old all-rounder will last that long. Malik lost the Test series against South Africa at home in October last year before losing 1-0 in the three-Test tour of India in December. His performance in limited overs internationals is slightly better, leading Pakistan to 20 wins from 30 matches.

Alam said that it is Malik's failure against stronger teams that most worries him. "That's the big problem. When you play teams that are in the top rankings of world cricket, you get tested and on both occasions (against India and South Africa) Malik has failed," Alam said.

Alam, a burly leg-spinning allrounder who led Pakistan in 17 of his 47 Test matches between 1959-77, said the current Pakistan squad experienced a void in leadership following Inzamam-ul-Haq's retirement at the end of last year's World Cup. "Let's be honest, we don't have captaincy stuff in the present lot. It's a big honor to lead your country, but on the other hand you should have a good cricketing brain and have some maturity to handle various pressures," said Alam.

ANI