Shoaib Malik, on Friday, announced his retirement from One Day International cricket. With Pakistan’s journey in the World Cup coming to an end, the veteran batsman bid adieu from the game. Speculations were rife that Shoaib Malik would bring down curtains on his career which started way back in 1999 when he made his ODI debut against West Indies in Sharjah.
Malik has had a terrible World Cup where he was slammed not only for his performance but also for some off the field activities. He played just three games and his scores read 8, 0 and 0. Thus his golden duck against India is his las knock in international cricket. According to reports, Malik was desperate to play against Bangladesh to end his career on a high. However, the team-management did not include the out-of-form batsman in the side.
But the Pakistan players made sure to give him a guard of honour after the thumping 94-run win over Bangladesh. Malik later took to Twitter to confirm the news. He thanked his past and current teammates, coaches, fans as he wrote:
“Today I retire from One Day International cricket. Huge Thank you to all the players I have played with, coaches I have trained under, family, friends, media, and sponsors. Most importantly my fans, I love you all.”
Today I retire from One Day International cricket. Huge Thank you to all the players I have played with, coaches I have trained under, family, friends, media, and sponsors. Most importantly my fans, I love you all#PakistanZindabad ?? pic.twitter.com/zlYvhNk8n0
— Shoaib Malik ?? (@realshoaibmalik) July 5, 2019
Malik, who also led Pakistan in the past, played 237 ODIs scoring 7534 runs and taking 158 wickets. He also played 35 Tests and 111 Twenty20 Internationals for Pakistan.
“I’ve said earlier that I’d retire from ODIs after the World Cup. I’m here to announce that today. Thanks to my fans who’ve supported me, I love them all. Expectations were high, but I wasn’t able to perform here. My focus will be on playing T20Is for Pakistan. It’s been a very memorable 20 years of playing ODI cricket,” Malik said at the post-match press-conference.
✅ Hugs galore
✅ Guard of honour
✅ Plenty of applausePakistan gave Shoaib Malik a fitting send-off as he retired from ODI cricket ?#CWC19 pic.twitter.com/ESA4q1sLUM
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) July 5, 2019
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