Yuvi is our target: Malik

New Delhi, Nov. 1: Yuvraj Singh’s batting exploits in the recent past have not only helped fashion victories for the Indian team, but also forced the Pakistan team management to sit up and take notice.
Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said the flamboyant left-hander was a major threat to them and would be targetted the most in the five-match one-day series beginning Monday.
"Every player is important. Sachin (Tendulkar), Sourav (Ganguly) and (Virender) Sehwag area great players, but the way Yuvraj is playing, he is a major threat to us.
"He will be the key man we will target," said Malik at the team’s first press conference since arrival in the capital on Thursday.
Malik admitted that the hosts were enjoying a consistent run of form, but stopped short of labelling them as favourites.
"India have been doing very well in the past, but for me both teams are on even keel. Yes, they have the home advantage, but we are also aware of the conditions.
"It is better to end as favourites than start as one... as was evident in the one-dayers against the Proteas."
As questions veered towards Shoaib Akhtar’s on and off-field behaviour, coach Geoff Lawson was quick to point out that after a long and forced hiatus, Shoaib was a changed man and eager to shed his ‘bad boy’ image.
"Shoaib is eager to put the past behind. His comeback was excellent. He looks quiet, sensible and he’s even got a nice haircut done. On a more serious note, a good performance from him will do a lot of good for the Pakistan team."
The young Pakistan captain did his best to assure the media present that he had played enough international cricket to be able to handle the pressures that comes with an Indian tour.
"The atmosphere is electric and players from both teams area charged up. But I’ve done this before, so I know what it is all about. I am not going to take any extra pressure on this tour," he said.
However, Lawson was quick to add that they had a score to settle and would play hard, but fair.
"We had a tie with India in the Twenty20 World Cup group stage and then went on to lose the final. We have a score to settle. We’ll play hard, but within the norms.
"Ultimately it’s all about who handles the pressure better."
The Pakistan team will be seen in action on Friday in a one-day tour game against Delhi.