After Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, Shoaib Malik eyes spectacular Pakistan comeback for Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan had a disastrous campaign in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The Babar Azam-led side could not even go past the group stage in the competition.

They were one of the firm favorites to advance to the Super 8s from Group A which also had India, the USA, Ireland, and Canada. However, the Men in Green failed to live up to the expectations as India and USA progressed to the next round from Group A. Pakistan suffered losses against the USA and India before winning against Canada and Ireland.

Following the dismal campaign in the T20 World Cup, speculations are rife that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to take a number of big calls. As per media reports, a number of players are set to lose their central contracts as well after failing to perform well in the T20 World Cup.

Amidst all these, out-of-favour Pakistan allrounder Shoaib Malik has expressed his desire to play for the team once again. The former Pakistan captain has not played for his national team since 2021 but has continued playing in T20 competitions including the Pakistan Super League. He has now made himself available for selection in the Pakistan team for next year's Champions Trophy.

"I want to represent the Pakistan team again. I am available for the Champions Trophy. I will try my best for my country. I want to win the Champions Trophy for Pakistan," Shoaib Malik told PNN news.

Pakistan have the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy. Shoaib Malik was a part of the Pakistan team that had won the competition in its last edition, played in 2017. The veteran allrounder had announced his retirement from ODIs after the 2019 ODI World Cup but is now willing to represent his country in the 50-over format again.

Shoaib Malik must be fancying his chances after seeing the return of Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim. Both the players had retired from international cricket but the PCB managed to convince them to play in the T20 World Cup.

Shoaib Malik's ODI career in numbers:

Shoaib Malik represented Pakistan in ODIs for two decades. He made his ODI debut in 1999 and played his last game in 2019. Overall, he played 287 ODIs and scored 7534 runs with the help of 9 centuries and 44 half-centuries. He also picked up 158 wickets in the 50-over format.