Malik applies to be Pak batting coach

Islamabad: Former Pakistan captain Salim Malik, who overturned a life ban from cricket, applied for the job of national team batting coach on Thursday.

In 2008, a court in Lahore lifted a life ban on Malik which was imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board for match-fixing. A PCB board of inquiry in 2000 implicated him in corrupting international matches. "I do really feel that Pakistan needs a batting coach and I want to offer my services," Malik said in Lahore soon after applying for the job at the PCB headquarters. "Pakistan batsmen have been struggling both against spinners and fast bowlers and they need a good adviser."

The 49-year-old Malik wasn't concerned that he doesn't fulfill at least two of the job requirements. He doesn't have at least five years of working experience in a similar role with elite cricketers, nor has he done a level three coaching accreditation or international equivalent. "I don't think it should be a problem," Malik said. "You don't have to teach players of the national team from scratch, you just need to fine tune them."

In 2008, a court in Lahore lifted a life ban on Malik which was imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board for match-fixing.

Malik caused another controversy after his ban was lifted four years ago when he claimed the PCB offered him a job as head coach at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. However, the PCB denied Malik's claims at the time.

He played 103 Tests from 1982-99 and scored 5,768 runs. He also played 283 one-day internationals and made 7,170 runs. As captain, he won seven of 12 Tests. Only Waqar Younis, who won 10 of 17, has a better winning percentage for Pakistan.

PCB has set November 5 as the deadline for applicants for batting coach.

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