Malik steps down from captaincy

Pakistan's seasoned all-rounder and former captain Shoaib Malik has stepped down from the captaincy of Karachi Kings franchise in the Pakistan Super League.
Just one day before Karachi clash with Islamabad United in the playoffs, Malik announced on the channel which owns the Karachi franchise that he would like to be in the team only as a player.
"My performance is being affected by the captaincy and I have not been able to fulfil my role. I spoke to the team management and owners and told them to kindly make Ravi Bhopara the captain," Malik said.
"I have always played for the team and not for myself and I want to deliver in the playoffs for Karachi which is why I stepped down as captain," he said.

Malik's resignation has come as a surprise since he remains the most successful T20 captain in domestic cricket and is also seen as a strong candidate to be appointed the Pakistan skipper once again after the World T20 when Shahid Afridi retires.
Malik's resignation comes just one day after England all-rounder Ravi Bopara had to publicly make it clear he had no issues with Malik after finding himself in the middle of an unwanted controversy in the PSL.
Bopara was candid during a post-match conference on Wednesday and questioned decisions by Malik to bat first against Peshawar Zalmi in a crucial qualifying match and also over getting just one over late in the innings.

Speculations had been rife about Malik not being in agreement with the owners and coach Mickey Arthur on some team issues which has only added to the woes of the Karachi franchise that was brought at the highest rate of USD 2.6 million among the five franchises.