Pakistan’s veteran middle-order bat Shoaib Malik said the hurt of not being named in the original squad for the T20 World Cup 2021 inspired him to perform for the team as he got a backdoor entry into the T20I side. Malik wasn’t initially part of the contingent for the ICC event in UAE but made the cut as a replacement for in-form Sohaib Maqsood.
Maqsood’s injury turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Malik, whom many felt has had his days under the sun for Pakistan. Aged 39, and retired from Tests and ODIs in 2015 and 2019, respectively, Malik hadn’t been picked for the T20Is either since August 2020.
The experienced right-hander kept himself busy playing leagues around the world, but there also his form dipped drastically. Malik had a disastrous CPL 2021 for Guyana Amazon Warriors, scoring only 67 runs from his 10 innings at a strike-rate of 59.82.
Yet, in a surprising move, the national selectors gave Malik the nod as an injury replacement for Maqsood, which many feared would backfire. But the selectors’ backing motivated the 39-year-old giant and he hasn’t looked back since.
“I was playing on the Caribbean Premier League when they have announced the first team, and my name was not there.”
“Of course I felt bad. I was very disappointed. But I’ve seen a lot of the teams where my name was not there, so of course when you’re not part of World Cup team, then it hurts.”
“But as a professional cricketer or as a professional athlete your goal is to talk to yourself and somehow come out from that frustration,”
Malik told ICC.
He has been one of the stars of Pakistan’s mighty successful run since the start of the T20 World Cup 2021. He has been making timely contributions for the side and has kept their winning surge going. Malik’s 99-run tally from three outings has been amassed with an astonishing strike-rate of 186.79.
He was pivotal to Pakistan’s victories over New Zealand and Afghanistan, with his calming presence in the closing stages of both the run-chases ensuring his team didn’t lose the plot and keep their heads.
And on Sunday, Malik blasted the quickest ever half-century in T20Is by a Pakistani and eighth quickest fifty of all time. Playing against Scotland, he hit an unbeaten 54 off just 18 balls, including six maximums.
Malik spoke about one of his strengths – physical fitness – and said the extensive focus on keeping himself in the right shape and maintaining a good physique has helped him continue playing for this long. Malik is the only active international cricketer right now to have made his debut in the 90s.
“Well, to be honest, I would say I have self-obsession of seeing myself fit when I look at it in the mirror. Most importantly I’m still enjoying playing cricket, and it’s helping, as well, end of the day towards the team.”
“I guess if you want to stay fit, then you’ve got to train every day, and that’s what I have been doing,”
Malik added, stressing also that he isn’t thinking about his future as of now and is looking to give his best in the knock-outs for Pakistan.
The Babar Azam-led side have been a winning juggernaut since the beginning of the Super 12s, breaking the India jinx in their very first game and going on to top Group 2 with 5 wins from 5 matches. They’ll be taking on Australia in the second semi-final on Thursday in Dubai.
