Veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik has officially declared that he has no intention of returning to play international cricket for Pakistan. In a recent interview with a local sports outlet, Malik hinted that his international cricket days are firmly behind him.
Final Retirement Plans
“No, I am happy and satisfied after playing for so many years. I have no interest in playing for Pakistan again,” Malik said.
“I have already announced retirement from two formats. I have been playing league cricket and enjoying my time. Wherever I get an opportunity to play, I try to make the most of it.”
When asked about his retirement from T20 international cricket, the former captain stated that he would soon retire from all forms of cricket. “I have no interest, but as I said in my previous interviews, I will announce my retirement from all forms of cricket once and for all,” he confirmed.
Advice for Babar Azam
Malik also suggested that Pakistan’s white-ball captain, Babar Azam, should step down from captaincy and focus solely on his batting. He believes that Babar can perform better without the burden of leadership.
“As for his captaincy, my firm stance is that he [Babar Azam] should play only as a player. That’s my opinion. When he plays as a player, he can do wonders for the team. He should stay away from leadership,” Malik added.
A Glorious Career
Shoaib Malik has had an illustrious career, representing Pakistan in 35 Tests, 287 ODIs, and 124 T20Is since his international debut back in 1999. He has scored over 11,000 runs across three formats and has taken a total of 218 wickets.
In franchise T20 cricket, Malik has scored 13,360 runs in 542 matches, including 83 fifties. He is currently the second-highest run-scorer in this format, following Chris Gayle, who has amassed 14,562 runs in 463 matches.
While Malik’s international career may be over, his influence on the game continues through his participation in various T20 leagues worldwide. His advice and experience remain valuable for the younger generation of cricketers, both in Pakistan and beyond.
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