Shoaib Malik Wants to End His ODI Career with a World Cup Victory Next Year

Published - 27 Jun 2018, 03:33 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:53 PM

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Shoaib Malik recently announced he would call it quits from ODI cricket after playing the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales next year.

Meanwhile, Malik has said he will keep on playing T20 matches depending on the situation of his body and fitness level. Malik is the oldest among a current lot of players featuring for Pakistan. He made his ODI debut way back in 1999 and had gone on to represent Pakistan for the next 19 years.

It was in 2015 that Malik decided to hang up his boots from Test cricket. Malik had made a return to the squad after five years. Meanwhile, he has been an important member of the limited-overs side.

The right-handed batsman had been playing T20 cricket all over the world. Malik after announcing his retirement conceded he wants to finish his ODI career with a World Cup victory in England next year.

”During my 19-year-old long career, Pakistan have won the ICC World T20I and the Champions Trophy. My desire before giving up 50-over cricket that Pakistan wins the World Cup because it is a dream which will come to true Insha’Allah,” Malik was quoted as saying in an exclusive interview by The Dawn.

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Pakistan hold the numero uno status in the shortest format

Pakistan is currently the No one ranked team in the shortest format of the game.

They will meet Australia and Zimbabwe in a T20I Tri-series. It will start next month. Australia is currently the 2^nd ranked side in the T20I format.

Hence Malik feels Pakistan have to be at the top of their game to beat the Aussies. Meanwhile, Malik also tipped Zimbabwe as a strong competitor, especially in home conditions.

”Expectations are high from this tour. Pakistan has been showing consistency in their performance is a big plus point because in the past we lacked consistency … The Australians are No. 2 in the T20 world team rankings and under local conditions, Zimbabwe are not an easy side either. Therefore, we have to play very good cricket to beat both these teams,” he said.