"In retrospect, I think it would have been better if I had not accepted the captaincy in 2007. But I did it because I am not a selfish player," Malik said in an interview while playing in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy match in Karachi.
"Now I think it was a mistake because I was young and when they made me captain clearly some senior players were not happy with me," he added.
Malik was sacked as captain after Pakistan lost a home series to Sri Lanka in early 2009 and the all-rounder said such is the volatile nature of Pakistan cricket when he was removed, he was beginning to have confidence he could build a strong side.
"When I was removed as captain, I had gained a lot in confidence and knew a strong team could be built," he added.
Although still to be officially reported to the Pakistan Cricket Board by the match officials, Malik out of favor with the selectors for a while now.
Malik, 32, last played for Pakistan in the ICC World T20 in Bangladesh this year but his last Test appearance was in August, 2010 and his last ODI appearance in the Champions Trophy last year, in England.