Karachi, dec. 16 : Pakistan Cricket captain Shoaib Malik says that he is not too bothered about whether he will be retained as captain of the national squad or not.

Malik told reporters at the National Stadium here on Monday that he will remain focused on his performance for the national team whether he stays as Pakistan captain or not.

Pakistan's selectors are set to take a decision over Malik's captaincy within the next couple of weeks, The News reports.

Lahore, Dec 16 : Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif has urged the US to play its role to defuse the tension between Pakistan and India, adding that the solution of the Kashmir issue was also vital for peace between both countries.

He said that the tense situation would also affect international peace. He also asked India to end the blame game against Pakistan.

Nawaz asked the United States to stop drone attacks in the Tribal Areas, and said that the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity would not be compromised at any cost.

Lahore, Dec. 16 : Former Pakistan cricket captain and opener Rameez Raja is of the view that the team has failed to capitalize on the achievements of its predecessors in the 1980s and early 1990s, and has repeatedly lost opportunities to establish itself as competitive side in the sport.

In article for The News, Raja says: "It is time for Pakistan cricket to wake up and smell the coffee. If India and the rest of the world are to be engaged on equal terms as partners, and not as masters, the PCB will have to get its priorities right."

Lahore, Dec. 16 : Pakistan cricket's chief selector Abdul Qadir said on Monday that penalties could be imposed on international players who skip domestic tournaments without genuine reason.

Most of Pakistan's leading players have participated in this season's four-day and one-day Pentangular tournaments and Qadir felt it gave them the opportunity to stay fit and in form.

"We will look to have penalties for such players," the daily Times quoted Qadir as saying while attending a Pentangular Cup one-day match in Karachi.

Qadir said the domestic tournaments would help Pakistan improve their bench strength even though there was little international cricket on offer.

Karachi, Dec 16 : Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik has refused to comment on the possibility of playing India in the near future as the Pakistan Cricket Board
(PCB) has put a gag on players talking on the sensitive subject, but hoped his team get a cricket-rich 2009 after the disappointment of not playing much in the year nearing finish.

"I don't want to make any comment because PCB is dealing with the matter relating to cricket tour of India but all I can say is that we are ready to play anywhere the series takes place," The News quoted Malik, as saying.

Lahore, Dec 16 : Pakistani Fast bowler Sohail Tanvir's exploits for his IPL team, Rajasthan Royals, has earned him a deal with South Australia for the current season.

Sohail would leave for Australia on December 26 where he would take part in five Twenty20 matches.

He is seeking the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) permission to join South Australian for the current season.

If permission is granted, he would leave for Australia on December 26, The News reported.

Sohail Tanvir is currently representing the Federal Areas Leopards in Pentangular Cup, which concludes on December 24.