Lahore, May 14 (ANI): The appointment of Shoaib Malik as the captain of the Pakistan cricket team has received the backing of former skipper Wasim Akram, who said the all-rounder was the best available option after Inzamam-ul-Haq quit the job in March.

Speaking to reporters at Gaddafi Stadium here, Akram said Malik as captain, Pakistan should look towards the future and plan for the 2011 World Cup.

"It is an interesting decision, but he is a good and sensible young player. If he succeeds, it would be good for Pakistan in the long run.

We have some exciting young players, and this team can develop into a good one with the passage of time. But it will not happen overnight," The Nation quoted him, as saying.

"What happened in the World Cup was regrettable and disappointing. But the past is history now, and we must look ahead. The Pakistan team still has lot of talent and some good young players coming up but we have to be patient and give them time to settle down," Akram added.

Malik's captaincy will be put to test when the team takes on World Cup finalist Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series in Abu Dhabi from May 18-22. (ANI)

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