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"Focus is now on the World Cup & I am not thinking about retirement" : Shoaib Malik

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Shoaib Malik speaking to the press:

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"My focus is now on the World Cup matches and I am not thinking about the retirement during the competition"

SHOAIB MALIK: Morale is high. Obviously when you win games, the confidence level is quite high in the dressing room. Everyone is looking forward to playing the rest of the games we have left in the tournament, I mean, the games which need to be played, the next two games. And everyone's okay and been practicing and resting as well.

You are in T20, second year of international cricket. This team has shown unity. This team has shown tremendous body language. Have you seen the same kind of intensity, the unity in any of the previous teams, or this one is exemplary?

SHOAIB MALIK: To be honest, of course when you start your tournament and you start your tournament against a big team and then you win that game, then everything comes in your dressing room.

And I guess momentum and everything has come to us when we played that game. Obviously when you start the tournament, the goal is to give your best shot as a team. But since I've joined the team, I've seen Pakistan teams practise sessions and the way they have been dealing with pressure from the world until now, it's been exceptionally well.

And I guess to see consistency in Pakistan dressing room, that's the biggest thing for me so far, and everyone's helping each other. And it's a team game. When you're playing a team game, then you need your teammates' help, you need a lot of support from your management. And I see all of that coming.

Looking ahead to tomorrow's game against Namibia, how does that present a different challenge for Pakistan?

SHOAIB MALIK: To be honest, we are not thinking any different because T20 format is where you can't take the opposition lightly. And we are fully confident and in fact leaving soon for our practise session. So looking forward for the game.

It's difficult being in a bubble, especially at times like these, how are you and the team staying entertained during this period?

SHOAIB MALIK: Well, to be honest, bubble life, it's a tough thing, especially when you're like playing a lot of back-to-back series.

And being in a bubble, it's not an easy thing to go through. But the good thing is that our families are with us. We've been spending a lot of time together as families, as teammates. So it's a good thing.

But when your goal is to achieve something in life, then you have to go through hard yards, and we have that in our mind. And we are only focused for this particular tournament. And some have started enjoying the bubble life as well.
 
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Veteran allrounder Shoaib Malik said on Monday Pakistan's morale was "high" from last month's win over India ahead of this week's Twenty20 World Cup match against Namibia in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan have raced to three wins in as many games starting with a resounding ten-wicket opening fixture victory over arch-rivals India followed by New Zealand and Afghanistan.

They need another win to qualify for the semi-finals from Group 2 of the Super 12 stage.

"The morale in the camp is high," said 39-year-old Malik before Tuesday's meeting.

"When you win games, the confidence level is quite high in the dressing room. Everyone is looking forward to playing the rest of the games we have left in the tournament.

"When you start your tournament against a big team (India) and then you win that game, then everything comes in your dressing room."

Malik, whose tennis star wife Sania Mirza is from India, refused to comment on their arch-rival's abysmal show in the event, saying "we are focused on our own performance and not looking around."

Malik praised the intensity in the set-up.

"Obviously when you start the tournament, the goal is to give your best shot as a team," he said.

"But since I've joined the team, I've seen Pakistan teams practise sessions and the way they have been dealing with pressure from the world until now, it's been exceptionally well," he added.

Pakistan have never played a Twenty20 international against Namibia while they won the only ODI between the two sides in the 2003 World Cup (50 overs) with a 171-run margin in South Africa.

But Malik said Namibia, who qualified from the first round and have beaten Scotland, will not be taken lightly.

"To be honest, we are not thinking any different because T20 format is where you can't take the opposition lightly," he said.

"And we are fully confident, so we are looking forward for the game."

Pakistan have played the same eleven in all three games but considering a relatively easier opponent, ranked 15th in the world in the format, they could rotate their side.

Malik admitted bio-secure confinement for the players in the Covid-19 restriction is a challenge.

"Bubble life, it's a tough thing, especially when you're like playing a lot of back-to-back series," he said.

"And being in a bubble, it's not an easy thing to go through. But the good thing is that our families are with us. We've been spending a lot of time together as families, as teammates. So it's a good thing.

"But when your goal is to achieve something in life, then you have to go through hard yards, and we have that in our mind. And we are only focused for this particular tournament. And some have started enjoying the bubble life as well."

AFP
 
There you go

He will most likely retire after the 2023 World Cup
 
He won't be picked for 2023 world cup.

Thats we thought for the last however many years. Malik to be fair to him has done ok, but he should have gone a long time ago. The reality is that we win most of our games when Babar and Riz score, if they both fail, we rarely win.
 
We need Malik for next 4 years, as we need his experience for next 3 ICC trophies
He will be an asset
 
Malik I think will probably take back his ODI retirement
That will be great for our inexperienced side
 
There you go

He will most likely retire after the 2023 World Cup

Thats we thought for the last however many years. Malik to be fair to him has done ok, but he should have gone a long time ago. The reality is that we win most of our games when Babar and Riz score, if they both fail, we rarely win.

? What are you guys on about? Malik has retired from odi.

If Pakistan wins this one, I see no harm in him staying for one more year for the next World T20. Though his selection was never first choice in the first place.

If we dont continue with Iftikhar than he would be the only option, dont think we will unearth someone new.
 
? What are you guys on about? Malik has retired from odi.

If Pakistan wins this one, I see no harm in him staying for one more year for the next World T20. Though his selection was never first choice in the first place.

If we dont continue with Iftikhar than he would be the only option, dont think we will unearth someone new.
Agree with Major for the first time
 
There you go

He will most likely retire after the 2023 World Cup

There is 0% chance he would get selected for Australia. Only reason he has been selected for even this one is just due to UAE.

Amusing to see in his very long career, he has just one match in Australia back in 2010 where he managed a 3(11). Really infuriating to see Pakistan have played Malik so much in SENA conditions despite his glaring flaws in those conditions. It's pretty nuts he has played a whopping 78 innings (ODI's) in England/Australia/NZ and has put up 23.01 AVG with a 70 SR. He would be a less hated player if he was utilized properly in his career to be honest.

He should definitely retire after this WC and I think it would be a good thing for him to go out in a positive way and hopefully with a WC win. Hafeez should do the same.
 
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Maliks been playing since the last century


22+ years? Only him and Gayle left lol
 
Experienced Pakistan batter Shoaib Malik has rubbed salt into the wounds of the Virat Kohli-led India, saying that the team had got the "momentum and everything when we played that game" in the ICC T20 World Cup.

Pakistan thrashed India by 10 wickets in their opening 'Super 12' game on October 24 and the momentum the Babar Azam-led side gained following the emphatic win helped them overcome the tough Black Caps' challenge. Now, the side is looking forward to garnering another two points when it takes on Namibia here later on Tuesday.

"To be honest, of course when you start your tournament and you start your tournament against a big team and then you win that game, then everything comes in your dressing room," said Malik, who played a vital role in guiding Pakistan to victory in the second 'Super 12' game against New Zealand.

"And I guess momentum and everything has come to us when we played that game (against India). Obviously when you start the tournament, the goal is to give your best shot as a team. But since I've joined the team, I've seen Pakistan team's practice sessions and the way they have been dealing with pressure from the world until now, it's been exceptionally well.

"And I guess, to see consistency in Pakistan dressing room, that's the biggest thing for me so far, and everyone's helping each other. And it's a team game. When you're playing a team game, then you need your teammates' help, you need a lot of support from your management. And I see all of that coming," added Malik, who scored an unbeaten 26 to guide Pakistan to a five-wicket win against the Black Caps on 26 October.

Malik also said that commitment to the game was much bigger than issues such as bio-bubble fatigue, and his side was willing "to go through hard yards" in order to achieve success in the T20 World Cup.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has posted pictures on social media with his tongue lolling out as he lies on a chair tied with a rope. He captioned it: "This is what playing in bubbles feels like." India pacer Jasprit Bumrah too said after the loss to New Zealand that bio-bubble fatigue creeps into players' minds even as they try their best to adapt to the new normal of playing the sport amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
He should retire after this World T20 but nothing wrong with his statement here.

Focus should be on winning the trophy.
 
He should retire after this World T20 but nothing wrong with his statement here.

Focus should be on winning the trophy.

No he should play the next WT20 in Australia and then take his call on retirement. He is still producing the goods as we saw against NZ.
 
No he should play the next WT20 in Australia and then take his call on retirement. He is still producing the goods as we saw against NZ.

He is okay for Asian pitches but Australia should be difficult for him. He was never that good on bouncy pitches.
 
? What are you guys on about? Malik has retired from odi.

If Pakistan wins this one, I see no harm in him staying for one more year for the next World T20. Though his selection was never first choice in the first place.

If we dont continue with Iftikhar than he would be the only option, dont think we will unearth someone new.

Ifti is a much better option for Australian conditions
 
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