Should Shoaib Malik be picked for the Pakistan side in the future?

[MenInG]

To be honest, I felt he was over the hill but the extent to which he showed his irrelevance to the Pakistan side in the recently concluded T20I series vs England was shocking.

He arrived late on the tour - given some special consideration for a family reunion which never happened.

He did not bowl.
He batted in a way that wasnt needed and was duly demoted in the batting order.

So what exactly is his role in the Pakistan side?

I do not see a place for him in any future Pakistan side. Do you?

 

[sweep_shot]

He is finished.

Haider should play instead of him.

 

[Saj]

Time is up.

Move on I reckon.

 

[Cricketrenew]

He cost the first T20 game by his slow scoring rate.

His has done ok in the past but Pak need to move one.
Shame he didn't bowl as much as he should have in Test cricket.

 

[IMMY69]

Give him another ten years and see how he goes

 

[shamaan]

Malik should be replaced by khushdil

 

[hitthestump]

Wonder how many such polls we've had over the years

It's clear he's finished. But if he was somehow able to stage a comeback after his pathetic performance in the 2019 WC, there's no guarantee he's going to hang up his boots now. Misbah obviously loves him.

 

[Omar]

He should have already retired after the 2019 WC.

Surely they can't pick him to play against Zimbabwe in the next series, so he has another chance to retire with dignity. Make duaa he makes the right choice!

 

[Bigboii]

Wonder how many such polls we've had over the years

It's clear he's finished. But if he was somehow able to stage a comeback after his pathetic performance in the 2019 WC, there's no guarantee he's going to hang up his boots now. Misbah obviously loves him.

Zimbabwe tour is coming

 

[Sher Khan]

Time is up.

Move on I reckon.

This was a poor tour for him. But we shouldn't forget how we lost 3-0 vs Sri Lanka without him. When him and Hafeez came back vs Bangladesh, we went back to winning, with him even winning us a tense match.

Im a big fan of milking experienced players. He can still win us tense matches with his experiences and help prevent defeats to minnows.

 

[Loralai]

He was left out of the thirty man list of probables for the 2011 World Cup.

That should have been the end of his international career. That he is still playing for Pakistan shows how weak our cricket culture is.

Please end the suffering of Pakistan fans now and retire.

 

[Hasan123]

Him and Hafeez do the same thing. Hafeez is playing better. Time to move on.

 

[topspin]

BUT BUT BUT

Our expert analyst [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] reckons he's more than good enough for this Pakistan team

 

[Varun]

The only guy to be currently playing after having debuted in the previous century.

Makes him look like some Tendulkar-type legend. He's far from it.

A poor man's Jadeja at best.

 

[MMHS]

BUT BUT BUT

Our expert analyst [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] reckons he's more than good enough for this Pakistan team

He is not only more than enough, rather he is essential for this PAK team to play next two ICC events in India - the T20 WC & the ODI WC. If you still didn't realize that, you should go back few days and enjoy the celebration of PAK team & it's "fans" for their only win of English summer - a last ball T20 win over English reserves backed on the shoulders of a 40 years old batsman & a 36 years old fast bowler .... and I must say, these are certificate ages - that should give you a clue about the level of your expectation and positioning of trolling effort, I must say.

Malik can teach the young PAK batsmen a trick or two about the use of wrists against spinners and maneuver strike to keep score board moving when from both ends couple of spinners are taking pace off the ball on a slow turner and fielding Captains are blocking their leg side swings with three men on line. Batting on such conditions against the first choice attack in an ICC event is a bit different proposition than hitting through the line against English reserves on an absolute batting belters - you don't need to be an analyst for this little to understand, therefore I believe I could get the message under your skull.

 

[mumtaz]

Malik is needed for the T20 WC in India with spinners galore. Of course, he has limited utility in SENA.

 

[Hasan123]

He is not only more than enough, rather he is essential for this PAK team to play next two ICC events in India - the T20 WC & the ODI WC. If you still didn't realize that, you should go back few days and enjoy the celebration of PAK team & it's "fans" for their only win of English summer - a last ball T20 win over English reserves backed on the shoulders of a 40 years old batsman & a 36 years old fast bowler .... and I must say, these are certificate ages - that should give you a clue about the level of your expectation and positioning of trolling effort, I must say.

Malik can teach the young PAK batsmen a trick or two about the use of wrists against spinners and maneuver strike to keep score board moving when from both ends couple of spinners are taking pace off the ball on a slow turner and fielding Captains are blocking their leg side swings with three men on line. Batting on such conditions against the first choice attack in an ICC event is a bit different proposition than hitting through the line against English reserves on an absolute batting belters - you don't need to be an analyst for this little to understand, therefore I believe I could get the message under your skull.

I will reluctantly accept he will play at the World T20 next year but no way he is playing at the WC in 2023. Surely he won't be good enough in 2023 .

 

[topspin]

He is not only more than enough, rather he is essential for this PAK team to play next two ICC events in India - the T20 WC & the ODI WC. If you still didn't realize that, you should go back few days and enjoy the celebration of PAK team & it's "fans" for their only win of English summer - a last ball T20 win over English reserves backed on the shoulders of a 40 years old batsman & a 36 years old fast bowler .... and I must say, these are certificate ages - that should give you a clue about the level of your expectation and positioning of trolling effort, I must say.

Malik can teach the young PAK batsmen a trick or two about the use of wrists against spinners and maneuver strike to keep score board moving when from both ends couple of spinners are taking pace off the ball on a slow turner and fielding Captains are blocking their leg side swings with three men on line. Batting on such conditions against the first choice attack in an ICC event is a bit different proposition than hitting through the line against English reserves on an absolute batting belters - you don't need to be an analyst for this little to understand, therefore I believe I could get the message under your skull.

This ought to be rephrased to "you don't need to be an analyst to understand that Malik isn't good enough".

Shoaib Malik was still good against spin during the last Asia Cup, however if we cast our minds back to the 2019 SA tour and the WC later last year, you may have noticed that he is well past his sell-by-date even against spinners, let alone pacers, who have always troubled him ever since he turned into a batting all-rounder.

We don't need Malik in the XI to teach our batsmen on how to play spin, if he's so good in this aspect, Misbah can vouch for him to be roped in as a specialist batting coach for the series and tournaments held in Asia.

If you're going to justify his place in the XI, at least come up with some compelling arguments.

 

[Kaddy]

I will reluctantly accept he will play at the World T20 next year but no way he is playing at the WC in 2023. Surely he won't be good enough in 2023 .

He has already retired from ODIs.

 

[Hasan123]

He has already retired from ODIs.

Ah right. I don't know why I keep thinking he hasn't.

 

[Uzi]

This should have been asked 20 years ago.

The answer is a resounding yes. He is a vital cog to this team and can pass on his experience to the likes of Haider Ali.

 

[MMHS]

I will reluctantly accept he will play at the World T20 next year but no way he is playing at the WC in 2023. Surely he won't be good enough in 2023 .

May not be 2023 (Not sure if he is available for ODI now), but there is absolutely no reason to troll around Malik, because of a failed English tour - he was not that good there even in his prime.

I believe I have written more than anyone here why MoHa/Malik should be dumped, therefore it's a bit irritating for me to be tagged by trolls here, but honestly, they are earning their spot. Now, MoHa has got a perfect strip for his batting style (he has God gifted timing) and a very "friendly" English attack to show his class, but few months back situation was opposite - against a depleted BD attack, Mian Malik had to save PAK's dignity as No. 1 ranked team at their home.....

PP lives by the day hence Hafeez/Wahab are the essence of the time, and Malik/Amir are the odor, but the role was opposite few months back. Bottom line is - PAK youngsters are not forcing these oldies out, Arthur/Inzi has tried to get rid of MoHa - PAK had to play out of the skin of Malik to be bailed out against AFGs in Asia Cup and Shadab Khan showed his "toughness" against that BD attack with his batting display.

Problem is not that why MoHa/Malik is picked in ICC events - you play your best and inform squad for an event, problem is - come ZIM, you'll see Hafeez at 4 and Malik at 5, showcasing their 7 decades combined experience. Yes, 2023 may be too far away (I am not sure though, Malik is extremely fit for a PAK cricketer - but he is probably retired from ODI now), but he is still an asset for Asian conditions. For bilaterals, PAK should move out of Malik, Hafeez & Wahab - they are experienced enough and keep themselves match fit by playing in T20 circuits and can be called on case basis.


[MENTION=147314]topspin[/MENTION] - bro, start to learn maintaining low profile in blogs - I have said it few more times, your tal*nted bunch will make you eat your words, if you are not careful. You don't need to tag me to remind Malik's value - I have seen him playing since you were in your diapers or shorts - depending on your age.

 

[topspin]

May not be 2023 (Not sure if he is available for ODI now), but there is absolutely no reason to troll around Malik, because of a failed English tour - he was not that good there even in his prime.

I believe I have written more than anyone here why MoHa/Malik should be dumped, therefore it's a bit irritating for me to be tagged by trolls here, but honestly, they are earning their spot. Now, MoHa has got a perfect strip for his batting style (he has God gifted timing) and a very "friendly" English attack to show his class, but few months back situation was opposite - against a depleted BD attack, Mian Malik had to save PAK's dignity as No. 1 ranked team at their home.....

PP lives by the day hence Hafeez/Wahab are the essence of the time, and Malik/Amir are the odor, but the role was opposite few months back. Bottom line is - PAK youngsters are not forcing these oldies out, Arthur/Inzi has tried to get rid of MoHa - PAK had to play out of the skin of Malik to be bailed out against AFGs in Asia Cup and Shadab Khan showed his "toughness" against that BD attack with his batting display.

Problem is not that why MoHa/Malik is picked in ICC events - you play your best and inform squad for an event, problem is - come ZIM, you'll see Hafeez at 4 and Malik at 5, showcasing their 7 decades combined experience. Yes, 2023 may be too far away (I am not sure though, Malik is extremely fit for a PAK cricketer - but he is probably retired from ODI now), but he is still an asset for Asian conditions. For bilaterals, PAK should move out of Malik, Hafeez & Wahab - they are experienced enough and keep themselves match fit by playing in T20 circuits and can be called on case basis.


[MENTION=147314]topspin[/MENTION] - bro, start to learn maintaining low profile in blogs - I have said it few more times, your tal*nted bunch will make you eat your words, if you are not careful. You don't need to tag me to remind Malik's value - I have seen him playing since you were in your diapers or shorts - depending on your age.

As expected you can't come up with one compelling reason to justify Malik's selection nor were you able to address the points made in my previous post because you got schooled, so no need for to tell others to maintain a low profile like an angry uncle lol. But I understand the frustration with having to put up with cricketers like Shafiul Islam

 

[unemployedgm]

He cost the first T20 game by his slow scoring rate.

His has done ok in the past but Pak need to move one.
Shame he didn't bowl as much as he should have in Test cricket.

Wrong answer.

Shoaib Malik came into bat in the 1st T20 during a phase of the game where power hitting against fast bowlers was required. In his entire career, Shoaib Malik has never displayed power hitting against high quality fast bowling. To expect him to become magically become a power hitter from ball 1 at the age of 40(speculative) is ludicrous.

1. Is it Shoaib Malik's fault that at the age of 40 he's asked to do something that he's not good at?

2. Is it Shoaib Malik's fault that he's been selected as an All Rounder but never asked to bowl?

3. Is it Shoaib Malik's fault that the Chief Selector, the Captain, the Coaching Staff, and the Rest of the Selectors have little to know knowledge of the emerging talent in Pakistan?

4. Is it his fault that they also don't have the guts to move on from him and invest in younger player like Saif Badar(just an example)?

Stop blaming the players. Don't blame Shoaib, Hafeez, Amir, Azhar Ali, or Asad Shafiq. Blame a system that lacks basic critical thinking skills. Blame a system that lacks decision-making frameworks. Blame a system that is weak towards vested interests. Don't blame these players.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

If you perform keep him otherwise i think I'd like to see someone like Umar Amin or Khushdil Shah in the team.

 

[shamaan]

If you perform keep him otherwise i think I'd like to see someone like Umar Amin or Khushdil Shah in the team.

Khushdil shah is good decision but not umar amin hes 31 I belive

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Khushdil shah is good decision but not umar amin hes 31 I belive

I like Khushdil as an allrounder and really hope he comes well, i was particularly impressed with his knock against the Qalanders but he needs to prove to me and others that he's not just a leg side hack.

Only reason why i'd like Amin is that he won his team the final in the last National t20 cup tournament with a 50 i believe and he looked good in that one knock he played against Multan until he got bowled by a peach by Moeen Ali.

I'm a firm believer that players must be given a fair chance until they are discarded and i just feel Malik has had loads of chances and really it's time for him to move on and for the love of God consider retirement.

 

[shamaan]

I like Khushdil as an allrounder and really hope he comes well, i was particularly impressed with his knock against the Qalanders but he needs to prove to me and others that he's not just a leg side hack.

Only reason why i'd like Amin is that he won his team the final in the last National t20 cup tournament with a 50 i believe and he looked good in that one knock he played against Multan until he got bowled by a peach by Moeen Ali.

I'm a firm believer that players must be given a fair chance until they are discarded and i just feel Malik has had loads of chances and really it's time for him to move on and for the love of God consider retirement.

Yes agreed I have seen a few innings of his obvs strength is the leg side but also seen he can play the sweep and re verse sweep and can play the cut shot but may struggle against the short ball and cover drive area but he has power hitting game clean hits but needs to be given a chance a series or 2.

Umer amin is a good player but suited to odis or tests t20s we already babar the top

 

[Cricketrenew]

Wrong answer.

Shoaib Malik came into bat in the 1st T20 during a phase of the game where power hitting against fast bowlers was required. In his entire career, Shoaib Malik has never displayed power hitting against high quality fast bowling. To expect him to become magically become a power hitter from ball 1 at the age of 40(speculative) is ludicrous.

1. Is it Shoaib Malik's fault that at the age of 40 he's asked to do something that he's not good at?

2. Is it Shoaib Malik's fault that he's been selected as an All Rounder but never asked to bowl?

3. Is it Shoaib Malik's fault that the Chief Selector, the Captain, the Coaching Staff, and the Rest of the Selectors have little to know knowledge of the emerging talent in Pakistan?

4. Is it his fault that they also don't have the guts to move on from him and invest in younger player like Saif Badar(just an example)?

Stop blaming the players. Don't blame Shoaib, Hafeez, Amir, Azhar Ali, or Asad Shafiq. Blame a system that lacks basic critical thinking skills. Blame a system that lacks decision-making frameworks. Blame a system that is weak towards vested interests. Don't blame these players.

He Should retire. So they have no choice in selecting him.
Azhar Ali is just poor, I don't buy the fact it took two matches before he figured out that his leg was getting in the way in test matches.

Amir... has become lazy.

They have had their chance ... your right the system if it works will move on from these players.

Your right the system is bad but it has been worse in the past.. with nepotism at the heart.

 

[naseem]

Malik
Amir
Shadab
Haris Rauf...... Should worry about their career .....

 

[MMHS]

As expected you can't come up with one compelling reason to justify Malik's selection nor were you able to address the points made in my previous post because you got schooled, so no need for to tell others to maintain a low profile like an angry uncle lol. But I understand the frustration with having to put up with cricketers like Shafiul Islam

My God - I didn’t see this one - adverse effect of one odd win against English reserves. I also understand the excitement of having to hype up tal*nts and then get a reality check at the wrong time.

Now coming to school - try to find a map and figure out where WIN, SAF & ENG is and where Asia is - then you could have understood what I was trying to address. Don’t you think it’s a foolish to bring SAF and England in this context when I expect pained that the next World Cup is in India? For your information, India is in South Asia and the context is a bit different there.

No need to be upset - your team will keep you profile low - but if you keep me tagging, be ready to be schooled, geography this time.

 

[topspin]

My God - I didn’t see this one - adverse effect of one odd win against English reserves. I also understand the excitement of having to hype up tal*nts and then get a reality check at the wrong time.

Now coming to school - try to find a map and figure out where WIN, SAF & ENG is and where Asia is - then you could have understood what I was trying to address. Don’t you think it’s a foolish to bring SAF and England in this context when I expect pained that the next World Cup is in India? For your information, India is in South Asia and the context is a bit different there.

No need to be upset - your team will keep you profile low - but if you keep me tagging, be ready to be schooled, geography this time.

Try to understand what I'm saying.

If Malik is struggling to play spin in England and SA, what hope can we have of him succeeding in India for the WT20 to be played in 2021 or 2022?

Also he won't be playing in the 2023 WC because he's retired from ODIs.

He's not even good enough to play for Bangladesh or even an associate side but according to your expertise "he's the best that Pakistan have got".

I'm still waiting for one good reason as to why he should still play for Pakistan. You haven't come up with one, so you ain't schooling no one pal.

 

[shamaan]

Malik
Amir
Shadab
Haris Rauf...... Should worry about their career .....

Shadab ain't going nothing to worry about

 

[Bewal Express]

Time is up.

Move on I reckon.

Should have happened a decade ago along with Hafeez

 

[IMMY69]

He just needs a new coach...
Maybe MMHS can coach him

 

[zacattakk]

Apart from his poor performance with the bat and the fact that he doesn't even bowl anymore so is selected as a batsman, he also contributed nothing in the field. His body language, attitude, he just seemed...disinterested. No passion, no energy. Just a bored passenger on an all expense paid cruise trip.

 

[MMHS]

Try to understand what I'm saying.

If Malik is struggling to play spin in England and SA, what hope can we have of him succeeding in India for the WT20 to be played in 2021 or 2022?

Also he won't be playing in the 2023 WC because he's retired from ODIs.

He's not even good enough to play for Bangladesh or even an associate side but according to your expertise "he's the best that Pakistan have got".

I'm still waiting for one good reason as to why he should still play for Pakistan. You haven't come up with one, so you ain't schooling no one pal.

Not sure where you saw him playing spin in England & South Africa - may be another session is required to explain spin; geography wasn’t enough. Anyway, ideally a PAK player officially 38+ should not be playing even in FC level; but Malik, Hafeez, Wahab are still in the team for a reason. We can add Yasir, Azhar & Asad as well for Test.

The problem with PP is that everyone wants the oldies out, which is normal - but what is not normal is that despite their age, these players have been instrumental for PAK. So, PP expresses their frustration whenever they fail by humiliating them. No player can perform in every series, let alone game and if these players are as ordinary as Malik, Hafeez - their failure rate will be much higher; so will be the bashing. But, I can categorically mention games/series where these players were dropped ..... it resulted in humiliation, or in other way these few oldies saved PAK from humiliation. Malik, Hafeez were not there against SRL reserves at home, they were not selected in Australia, it was Malik who saved PAK’s grace against a depleted BD side at home, now this series Hafeez & Wahab..... even in Test, it was Yasir who almost made an improbable win in a Test in UK... Azhar saved one.

I am pretty sure the hate that Hafeez, Malik, Amir, Wahab, Asad or Azhar, even Yasir gets here in PP is not because of they are playing poor or just not good enough - rather it’s because of PPs frustration for the much vaunted & hyped so called young talents, who are not consistent enough to keep these oldies out, neither able to perform individually.

You tried to get under my skin here not because I said Malik/Hafeez are earning their spots rather because you know that it’s the reality, which the bitter pill here. Otherwise, I have to say, you are quite foolish if you think that after so many years, I’ll be one to advocate for a 38+ PAK batsman, officially I must say - who was not even above average in his hay days. Instead of tagging me for trolling, better tag me the day PAK youngsters do something worthy enough to tag .... you won’t be required schooling.

 

[iniqbal223]

Why innocent fans like us even bother to answer, when we know what Misbah will DO

 

[RazaBadmash]

Forget about his age, the question Really is does he have a place on the squad from a strategic batting and bowling standpoint. He’s not a power hitter any more and he’s not a bowler and his fieldBig is ok now. Does he merit a spot on the playing 11 NO!!. Hafeez and Malik are literally the same player and hafeez batting was far superior then Malik’s. Malik out!!

 

[gazza619]

Absolutely not! Malik was useful a few years back when our batting was super fragile that we would even get bowled out in a T20 game.

Now that we have found guys who can bat, no need for someone to come in and chip in with a 28 ball 30.

 

[Shafi]

We are not going far under Misbah for sure. Why use any young player as a scapegoat for seniors' failure. I would rather see all the useless oldies back in the team and get kicked out in the first round so we may (?????) get rid of all those players along with Misbah and Waqar.

 

[TeymurBlake]

This tour should be the final nail in the coffin of Malik's intl career. It has been required for some time now with Shoaib and it is must. Specially with Khushdil Shah and Haider Ali knocking on the door for opportunites.

 

[Khan12]

Shoaib malik should have been thrown out a decede ago. Rubbish player. Can't believe some people are justifying his selection. Give any youngster the amount of games malik has had i am sure they would hsvr done better then this garbage.

 

[IMMY69]

This tour should be the final nail in the coffin of Malik's intl career. It has been required for some time now with Shoaib and it is must. Specially with Khushdil Shah and Haider Ali knocking on the door for opportunites.

The final nail should have been last year during the World Cup where we started to win every game only after dropping Malik. Ok Malik may not have been the only reason, but the fact he was dropped during the tournament should have been enough encouragement to drop him forever.

Malik making himself available is another blight on his character. He's either extremely selfish or has no self respect, both bad traits in anyone ones books.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Time is up. He quit tests and ODIs on his own. He should do that in T20s too ASAP.

 

[topspin]

Not sure where you saw him playing spin in England & South Africa - may be another session is required to explain spin; geography wasn’t enough. Anyway, ideally a PAK player officially 38+ should not be playing even in FC level; but Malik, Hafeez, Wahab are still in the team for a reason. We can add Yasir, Azhar & Asad as well for Test.

The problem with PP is that everyone wants the oldies out, which is normal - but what is not normal is that despite their age, these players have been instrumental for PAK. So, PP expresses their frustration whenever they fail by humiliating them. No player can perform in every series, let alone game and if these players are as ordinary as Malik, Hafeez - their failure rate will be much higher; so will be the bashing. But, I can categorically mention games/series where these players were dropped ..... it resulted in humiliation, or in other way these few oldies saved PAK from humiliation. Malik, Hafeez were not there against SRL reserves at home, they were not selected in Australia, it was Malik who saved PAK’s grace against a depleted BD side at home, now this series Hafeez & Wahab..... even in Test, it was Yasir who almost made an improbable win in a Test in UK... Azhar saved one.

I am pretty sure the hate that Hafeez, Malik, Amir, Wahab, Asad or Azhar, even Yasir gets here in PP is not because of they are playing poor or just not good enough - rather it’s because of PPs frustration for the much vaunted & hyped so called young talents, who are not consistent enough to keep these oldies out, neither able to perform individually.

You tried to get under my skin here not because I said Malik/Hafeez are earning their spots rather because you know that it’s the reality, which the bitter pill here. Otherwise, I have to say, you are quite foolish if you think that after so many years, I’ll be one to advocate for a 38+ PAK batsman, officially I must say - who was not even above average in his hay days. Instead of tagging me for trolling, better tag me the day PAK youngsters do something worthy enough to tag .... you won’t be required schooling.

I agree Hafeez has earned his spot in T20Is, but can he maintain his form up until the 2023 WC?

As for Malik, I'm going by how he was playing spin during the white ball leg of the SA tour and during the ODI and WC in England last year.

The 2018 Asia Cup was the last time we saw of his proficiency against spinners.

I don't rate this Pakistan team at all. We're 6th/7th ranked side but we're not that desperate to have a 40+ Malik who has regressed against spin. The less said about his batting against pace lol.

 

[Ilustcricket]

Malik always fails outside subcontinent. In my mind I would drop him for Khushdil Shah. I would also drop Fakhar for Sharjeel. However I would keep both of them in the squad just in case.

This would be my playing 11:

1.Sharjeel
2.Babar
3.Haider
4.Hafeez
5.Khushdil
6.Imad
7.Shadab
8.Sarfaraz/Rizwan
9.Wahab
10.Amir
11.Shaheen

I would also consider dropping Sarfaraz/Rizwan and have Haider keep wickets, this way we can squeeze in Iftikhar or some other player who can play the role of a finisher.

 

[MMHS]

I agree Hafeez has earned his spot in T20Is, but can he maintain his form up until the 2023 WC?

As for Malik, I'm going by how he was playing spin during the white ball leg of the SA tour and during the ODI and WC in England last year.

The 2018 Asia Cup was the last time we saw of his proficiency against spinners.

I don't rate this Pakistan team at all. We're 6th/7th ranked side but we're not that desperate to have a 40+ Malik who has regressed against spin. The less said about his batting against pace lol.

Fair enough ...... I got you where I wanted you to be - I guess that unnecessary tagging did help the course.

If Hafeez or Malik or Imran Khan can't maintain their form simply they won't justify themselves in the squad at the age of 40 or even at the age of 29 ...... but Hafeez is doing it now and Malik did that just about few months back - that's the level of PCT. On policy level, yes anyone can set a target that the average age of the team should go down as part of future plan - no issues there.

 

[Cric1234]

I agree Hafeez has earned his spot in T20Is, but can he maintain his form up until the 2023 WC?

As for Malik, I'm going by how he was playing spin during the white ball leg of the SA tour and during the ODI and WC in England last year.

The 2018 Asia Cup was the last time we saw of his proficiency against spinners.

I don't rate this Pakistan team at all. We're 6th/7th ranked side but we're not that desperate to have a 40+ Malik who has regressed against spin. The less said about his batting against pace lol.

Hafeez is going through a nice little purple patch in T20s it won’t last long but his overall record in the last 15 years against the top 5 teams and in WCs hopes are not high of top performance there however on merit he should continue to play T20s until the next WC.
Malik other than the 1 innings against Bangladesh has been mediocre and should retire yes he has ability in Asian conditions but past performance in WCs tells you he isn’t one to place any faith in.

 

[Titan24]

With World T20 in India next year it will be a tough call. He plays spin well, no doubt it but, didnt contribute much with either bat or ball or even in the field in the last series. Yes he didnt get a lot of balls and I wouldnt have any issues for him in the squad if he was in his early 30s but he is approaching 40.

One option is to get another young guy in and give him the much needed experience along with seeing how he develops but, if the combination doesnt turn out as expected before the World T20 in India you can always roll back to Malik for the tournament and then start the transition post that preparing for the WT20 in Aus which is in 2022.