- Shoaib Malik said skipper Babar Azam wants him in the squad.
- Veteran cricketer says he has no plan to retire anytime soon.
- Shoaib wants to be part of the team that will play the ODI World Cup.
Shoaib Malik About His Retirement
KARACHI: Former Pakistani cricket captain Shoaib Malik has said he has discussed his future plans with Babar Azam “who he needs in the team”.
Speaking at the launch of his perfume product in Karachi, along with his wife Sania Mirza, Malik said he did not want to wander unnecessarily, but retirement is not in his plans at the moment.
“I am not thinking about retirement at all,” he said.
“And this is not just my decision, the team captain also wants me in the team. I did discuss plans with him and Babar told me that he wants me so that he could prepare replacements and develop new players,” the former captain said.
The experienced player said he has achieved a lot in his long career but there is one thing he lacks in his cabinet.
Asked what that was, Shoaib Malik said the Cricket World Cup.
“The 50-overs world cup was something that I wanted to win but I couldn’t. I’ve been part of T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy wins, but couldn’t win the one-day World Cup,” he said.
Shoaib Malik has announced that he will retire from the ODIs in 2019 after Pakistan’s campaign ended tragically without reaching the top four.
Recalling Pakistan’s performance in the recently concluded T20 World Cup, the former captain said every player had done his best to win the cup, but it was not just their day in the semi-finals.
“We all wanted to win the cup, we all gave our best, but at the end of the day its game and one has to win and one loses, we were on the losing side in the semi-finals, unfortunately,” he said.
Replying to a question, Shoaib Malik said that he has hardly spent 3 or 4 years with his wife Sania Mirza in the married life of around 12 years due to professional commitments.
“Sometimes I am busy with Cricket and sometimes she’s busy with Tennis. And, this is something that I miss – opportunity to spend the time with family,” he mentioned.
‘Have always been received warmly in Karachi’
While responding to a question, Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza said she has come to Karachi many times and have always been received warmly here.
“I want to win two more grand slams before retirement,” she added.