Cricket News

Shoaib Malik opens up on his 20-20 World Cup 2022 exclusion and his equation with Babar Azam

After the Asia Cup 2022, Pakistan’s middle-order woes were again highlighted as they failed to string partnerships and get going. And many experts from Pakistan were of the opinion that it was time to bring back Shoaib Malik on board. Malik has been an experienced middle-order batter for Pakistan, having scored 2,301 runs in 116 matches in T20Is for the Men in Green.

Malik also showed that he still has got some cricket left in him as he played a few vital knocks in the recent National T20 Cup in September. He scored 204 runs at a strike rate of 140.68 with two half-centuries. The veteran, though, was given the cold shoulder when it came to his selection to the national team as his name was not included in the 20-20 World Cup squad.

This decision did not please many as several former Pakistan cricketers expressed their ire. Malik recently opened up on his exclusion and also his equation with Pakistan skipper Babar Azam. He said that he is not pointing fingers at anyone for his non-selection and that his selection is entirely dependent on the selectors and management. He added that his job is to just play cricket and perform well.

I did not put any extra pressure on Babar Azam: Malik

“Dekhiye mera kaam hain cricket khelna jaha pe bhi mujhe opportunity mile. Select karna, na karna woh team management, selection committee ya PCB ka hain. Mera hain ki jaha opportunity mile main woh avail karne ki koshish karu and acha perform karne ki koshish karu. Mujhe kisise koi problem nehi hain. Main kisike koi against nehi hu kyumki positive rehna has been a major reason behind the success in my career (My selection to the team was entirely on the selection committee and the team management. I do not want to blame anyone for my exclusion),” he said speaking to Saama TV in an interaction

“Humlog consistent basis pe baat karte hain. Haa, pehle bohot zyada tha, lekin jab koi captain ban jata hain toh unko woh space dena chahiye. Main khud iss cheez se ghuzra hu. Isiliye maine aajtak koi pressure nehi dala na kabhi dalunga na kabhi convince karne ki koshish karunga,” he added. (We talk a lot, I have given him the space he required as captain. And I did not put any extra pressure on him or do any extra convincing to influence my selection. We have a very cordial relationship with each other)