No One Can Claim I Am A Liability Due To My Age; Will Play T20 World Cup If Babar Azam Wants Me To - Shoaib Malik

Veteran Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik has refuted that he is thinking of retiring from cricket and said that even at the age of 40, he is not a liability and can still play T20 cricket. He also said that he wants to play the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia if Pakistan captain Babar Azam wants him to.

Malik, who debuted at the top level in 1999, is perhaps the oldest active international cricketer. While the 40-year old has retired from Tests and ODIs, he continues to represent Pakistan and shine in T20 cricket. He was Pakistan’s captain in the very first T20 World Cup in 2007 in South Africa.

The veteran, a late replacement in Pakistan’s 2021 T20 World Cup squad, averaged 50 in six games, striking at 181.81. Speaking to Cricket Pakistan, Malik insisted he has delivered credible performances at the highest level and is enjoying his cricket.

He said: “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 am thoroughly enjoying my cricket right now because I am utilizing all my experience and intensity during the games.”

He was in good form with the bat in the recent PSL 2022 as well, where he ended up as the fourth-highest run-getter, smashing 411 runs in 11 games at 44.55. He struck at 137.32 with three half-centuries.

If Babar Azam Asks Me To Play Then I Will Play Otherwise I Will Step Aside Respectfully: Shoaib Malik

Pakistan will be aiming to do better in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022 edition in Australia, after being eliminated in the semi-finals of the previous tournament in UAE by eventual champions Australia.

Malik said that he hasn’t thought about playing in the T20 World Cup, but said that he will do so if captain Babar Azam wants him to, else he will retire from the game respectfully. The 40-year old said he intends to play the T20 World Cup Down Under and demanded clarity from the skipper regarding his future.

He said: “We do talk on 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.

“As I said, I have clear and open communication with Babar. 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.”

Pakistan will play three ODIs and one T20I against Australia at home after the conclusion of the ongoing Test series.

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