-Vinay Kumar
Shoaib Malik, the swashbuckling batsman of the Pakistan cricket team, gave a candid answer on the question of retiring from international career. The owner said, “I am not a burden on anyone at this time. Expressing his desire to play in the T20 World Cup, 2022, he said, “If Babar Azam wants, I will definitely play, or I will side with respect.”
Significantly, Shoaib Malik made his international debut in the year 1999. The special thing is that at present, the oldest cricketer among the active players in the world is also the same. Remind you that, in the last ICC T20 World Cup, 2021, he was also seen playing for Pakistan. Apart from this, he also participated in PSL 2022 and performed well for Peshawar Zalmi. In this season’s PSL, Malik was the fourth top scorer among the highest run scorers.
In his exclusive conversation with Cricket Pakistan, Shoaib Malik said, “Because of my age, no one can prove that I am a burden on anyone. I have performed at a high level. Especially in T20 cricket, I have also proved myself with batting, ball and fielding. I am enjoying my game at the moment. Because, at this point in time, I am putting my entire experience into play.
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Malik wants to retire with respect
Regarding his relationship with Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam, he said, “We keep talking regularly. I also talked to him about my future planning during the World Cup (ICC T20 World Cup, 2021). I have good communication with Babar Azam. Personally speaking, I still want to play for my country. Right now I have not made up my mind about the World Cup (ICC T20 World Cup, 2022). Because, I want to retire with honour. But, if Babar Azam wants, I will play, or else I will side with respect.
Significantly, Shoaib Malik was included in the Pakistan team for the ICC T20 World Cup, 2021 as a replacement for Shoaib Maqsood. But his average in 6 matches was around 50. in that tournament. His strike rate was 181.81. After this, in the total 11 matches played in the PSL, he scored 411 runs at an average of 44.55. It also included 3 half-centuries. His batting strike rate in this league tournament was 137.32.
The history of international cricket shows that Shoaib Malik has played 35 Tests, 287 ODIs and 124 T20Is in a career spanning more than 22 years. In Test cricket, he scored 1898 runs and took 32 wickets. He has 7534 runs and 158 wickets to his name in One Day Internationals. He has a tremendous record in T20I cricket. He has scored 2435 runs in this format and has taken 28 wickets. Remind you that Shoaib Malik has played 7 matches for the team of ‘Delhi Daredevils’ (now Delhi Capitals Delhi Daredevils) in the IPL season.