Published: Aug 08, 2023, 01:12 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 08, 2023, 01:12 PM (IST)
VETERAN Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik confirmed that he is available for selection in the national side if they consider him for the T20 Internationals. However, he expressed no interest in representing Pakistan in ODI or Test matches.
He also talked about losing his spot in the Pakistan team despite performing great. While he is prepared to play T20Is for Pakistan, he said that he has no expectations from Babar Azam or the management.
“When I was dropped from the Pakistan team, my performances and stats were very good. I have retired from Tests and ODI and I have no plans of making a comeback in those formats. However, I am ready to return to the T20 team if they call me. But I don’t expect anything from the captain, the selectors, or the PCB. I have zero expectations from anyone. I am fit and will continue as long as I enjoy playing,” Malik said while talking to PAK TV.
However, Malik added that his hopes are extremely high with Babar Azam and company to perform in the upcoming edition of ODI World Cup 2023.
He said “All the participating teams will be under pressure during the World Cup, and the same goes for Pakistan. However, Pakistan have been playing very well, and a lot of players are in great form currently. My hopes are very high.”
Shoaib Malik played his first match of LPL 2023 on Monday. He was representing Jaffna Kings in the tie against Dambulla Aura. He put on a show with his all-round performance but that was not enough to ensure his team’s victory.
Dambulla Aura batting first were restricted to 134 for 8 in 20 overs. Shoaib Malik grabbed two wickets in his four-over spell and just gave away 13 runs. He was the best bowler from the Kings’ side.
Then chasing 135, Malik played an unbeaten knock of 74 runs off 53 balls and helped his team recover from a batting collapse. However, Dambulla still managed to earn a 9 runs win.
