Shoaib Malik, the veteran Pakistan cricketer, has opened up about his future plans. At 40, Malik is still in great touch and has performed well at the highest level. Currently, his fitness is amazing and he is considered one of the finest players of his generation in limited-overs cricket.
Speaking about his age and his retirement, Malik has denied thinking of retiring from cricket and insisted that even at the age of 40; he is not a liability and is still enjoying his game.
The former captain, who debuted for Pakistan in 1999, wants to play in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in 2022 if Pakistan captain Babar Azam wants him to travel to Australia with the side.
Notably, the 40-year old has retired from Test and ODI cricket, but he continues to play T20 cricket.
In the 2021 T20 World Cup, he averaged 50 in 6 games at a strike rate of 181.81. The veteran batter was also in good form with the bat in the recent PSL 2022, where he ended up as the fourth-highest run-getter with 411 runs (three half-centuries) in 11 games at 44.55.
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Malik told Cricket Pakistan: “Despite my age, no one can claim that I am a liability. I have performed at the highest level — especially in the T20 format — and I have shown my worth with the ball, with the bat, and especially in the field. I’m thoroughly enjoying my cricket right now because I am utilizing all my experience and intensity during the games.”
He stressed that batting in the middle-overs was as tough as opening the innings, as the batters had to run between the wickets, which demands peak fitness, and his fitness level isn’t hidden from anyone.
The veteran batter added, “I am not claiming that opening is an easy task but in the middle overs, the field restriction is not there. That means you have to rely on running between the wickets a bit more; this is where your fitness truly comes in. You can always improve on fitness but I want to thank God Almighty because, for me, it is something that is naturally instilled in me.”
Malik revealed that he keeps in touch with Babar in regards to his future for Pakistan cricket. He said, “We do talk on a regular basis and we had the conversation about my future plans during the World Cup, I told him that after how everything panned out — I don’t feel like continuing anymore. However, if you ask me personally then of course I still want to represent my country.”
He added, “I asked Babar to communicate with me, even if that means playing limited series. He told me to play the series against Bangladesh and I did. Following that, we had a series against West Indies and Babar said he wanted to play a couple of youngsters and I stepped aside and rested for that series.
I have asked Babar to tell me clearly even if my services are no longer required because clarity is the most important thing for every cricketer, especially for those who have served Pakistan cricket for as long as I have.”
Malik signed off by saying, "I have not made up my mind about the World Cup because I want to retire with respect. If Babar asks me to play then I will play otherwise I will step aside respectfully"
(With IANS Inputs)
