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'No one can claim that I'm a liability. Have asked Babar to tell me clearly': Shoaib Malik breaks silence over future
The star Pakistan batter said he can play for at least two additional years but wants to retire with "respect".
Veteran batter Shoaib Malik may have touched the 40 mark but the former Pakistan skipper isn't thinking about retirement as he believes he still has a lot to offer. Malik is "enjoying" his cricket and intends to play this year's T20 World Cup for Pakistan if skipper Babar Azam wants him in his team.
Malik, who has been representing Pakistan in the international arena for over two decades, has played over 400 international matches across all formats. He was part of the Pakistan unit that reached the semifinals of the World T20s held in Oman and UAE last year.
"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 utilising all my experience and intensity during the games," Malik told Cricket Pakistan.
The 40-year-old Malik, unfazed by the cricket pundits who are predicting his retirement, remains in touch with Babar to be clear about his services to Pakistan cricket. Malik recently finished as the fourth-highest run-getter in the PSL 2022, scoring 411 runs in 11 games for Peshawar Zalmi at an average of 44.55.
"We do talk on a 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," he said.
Malik said he can play for at least two additional years but wants to retire with "respect" without forcing himself into the World Cup team.
“I asked Babar to communicate with me, even if that means playing limited series. He told me to play the series against Bangladesh and I did. Following that, we had a series against West Indies and Babar said he wanted to play a couple of youngsters and I stepped aside and rested for that series,” he explained.
"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," Malik further added.
