Malik reveals what the future holds for him after the 2019 World Cup

Posted on by
Shoaib Malik retire ODIs after 2019 World Cup Pakistan cricket

Shoaib Malik: “The 2019 World Cup is my last event of 50-over cricket”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Veteran Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik has announced that he will retire from ODIs after the 2019 World Cup.

Malik made his ODI debut in October 1999, but has managed to keep hold of his place in the side as of late, even though Pakistan are drafting in younger talents.

While the 36-year-old will end his ODI career after the quadrennial event in England and Wales next year, Malik made it clear that he will continue representing his country in Twenty20 cricket.

“The 2019 World Cup is my last event of 50-over cricket,” Malik was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. “I will try to play T20 cricket if I continue to stay fit and put up performances.”

Malik was part of Pakistan’s squad that won the World Twenty20 in 2009 and the Champions Trophy last year, but he is eager to conclude his ODI career with a bang by leading his country to World Cup glory.

“If you have made goals for yourself that keeps you running,” he said. “I have made some for myself. We have already won two big events: the World T20 [in 2009] and the Champions Trophy [in 2017]. The only thing left in my career [to win] is that 50-over World Cup. That is the thing I am looking at which makes me work hard. I have big hopes from these youngsters and myself. We are going to give our best.”

Malik retired from Test cricket back in 2015. In his final series, which came against England in the United Arab Emirates, the Sialkot native scored a career-best 245 in the first Test in Abu Dhabi.

“You enjoy Test cricket till the time you are fit,” he said. “Sometimes you have to take strong decisions. Many people take them keeping their future in mind. But, I tried to take it keeping the future of Pakistan cricket in my mind.

“Of course, I also thought about myself while announcing the retirement. I had to give time to my family and prolong my cricketing career. I have no regret that I made that decision. It came out in public like I took it overnight. That gap of five years in which I did not play a Test was a huge one. And, my retirement provided two-three youngsters an opportunity to play Test cricket. Now they are performing for the side on consistent basis. One can also serve your nation by retiring.”

Leave a Reply