Bridgetown, April 21:

Former captain Ramiz Raja on Saturday stressed the need for a strong system in Pakistan cricket, saying a young leader in Shoaib Malik needs support to be successful. Pakistan on Thursday appointed Malik as successor to Inzamam-ul-Haq after a disastrous World Cup where they crashed out in the first-round following an upset three-wicket defeat against the first-timers Ireland.

The 25-year-old Malik’s appointment is seen as a step towards the future, something Raja believed could only be good if the young leader is given strong support. “On one side it is a good decision because he is gutsy and a team player but he can be emotional and temperamental because he has not been tested at the top level so he needs a strong system for support,” he said.

“I am a bit guarded as well, it’s young leadership but it can only be good if you strengthen the system which must assure the young talent is not taken hostage by senior players.”

Younis Khan, deputy to Inzamam, declined the offer for personal reasons while some senior players like the prolific batsman Mohammad Yousuf, all-rounder Abdul Razaq and dashing batsman Shahid Afridi were bypassed.