ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Facing Australia In Semi-Finals Will Give Us Butterflies: Shoaib Malik
Published - 08 Nov 2021, 12:01 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:00 AM
Veteran Pakistan batter Shoaib Malik admitted that he was upset on being dropped from Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad.
When Pakistan Cricket Board announced its squad for the T20 World Cup, Malik wasn’t initially part of it, and only an injury to Sohaib Maqsood helped the 39-year-old to make his comeback in the team.
I am enjoying cricket and keeping fit: Shoaib Malik
Malik forced his selection with his performance for Central Punjab in the National T20 Cup 2021.
On Sunday, Malik blazed 54 runs off 18 balls against Scotland, smashing six sixes and a four in his fabulous knock, which was also the fastest fifty for a Pakistan batsman.
Malik said that he is enjoying the game and also mentioned being dropped from the squad while he was playing in CPL 2021.
“I am enjoying cricket and keeping fit, always love to come to the ground and do my best for my country and today’s innings was like that, highly enjoyable and it helped the team,” Malik said in his post-match press conference.
“I was playing the Caribbean Premier League when the initial squad was announced and when my name was not there, it hurt but I had a way to get my frustration out as I was playing.
“Then I came back to Pakistan and did well in the National Twenty20 and luckily got selected, so I am happy that I am here and enjoying my time,” he added.
It will be a tough challenge for both teams: Shoaib Malik on semi-final clash with Australia
Pakistan thrashed Scotland by 54 runs to top the points table with five wins in Group 2. The Babar-Azam led side will face Australia as their opponents for the semi-final clash.
Australia won four out of five matches in Group 1 and qualified on a superior net run-rate to South Africa.
Malik mentioned that playing Australia in the semis will be a tough challenge, but Pakistan will approach the game as a normal match.
“Of course, we are watching Australia play good cricket and so are we, so it will be a tough match for both teams,” Malik said.
“It will be a tough challenge for both teams and will give us butterflies but that is always encouraging.
“We will take the semi-final as just another game and I think if we do that then we will be able to plan things in a better way,” he added.
Pakistan and Australia will play in the second semi-final match on November 13 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
