CPL 2018: Shoaib Malik shifts base to Guyana Amazon Warriors

Veteran Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik has found a new association with the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the upcoming season of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Malik had previously represented the Barbados Tridents in the last five editions of the Twenty20 tournament. He had a decent stint with the Tridents in the last five years, where he was as an important member of the playing unit both with the bat and the ball.

Lot of expectations with the new franchise: Malik

Malik has played a lot of cricket in the Caribbean and is familiar to the conditions in the different parts that host the matches. He revealed that playing in Guyana is pretty similar to playing in the subcontinent. He has been a spectacular performer with the bat and has the rare ability to finish games, and had done that with some consistency for the Tridents. He mentioned that when players have played a significant amount of cricket for any franchise in the long run, the expectations are bound to be much more from him to deliver every time.

“Guyana is more like you’re playing in the subcontinent, I think. But on a particular day performance is the key to any cricketer and that’s what I’m looking for. Obviously, if you’re playing for a new team the expectations are a lot from you. When they have seen someone that did well for a longer run the expectations are obviously high,” said Malik as quoted by the Hindustan Times.

The 36-year old stated that the Guyana squad for the upcoming edition of the CPL looks pretty balanced and rounded. Malik will be playing with the likes of Sohail Tanvir, Chadwick Walton, Imran Tahir, Luke Ronchi and many other T20 specialist players who are a part of Warriors’ squad. He also noted that all the teams this year are looking strong and competitive.

“I’ve seen the squad and it’s well balanced, not just us, the other teams as well. Obviously, there are so many good cricketers and as a franchise you have the options even if you prefer some players but still, even if you don’t get that player you still have the option in other players. Obviously you want to see that you end up winning, and that’s what I want. I want to do well for my team, not just against Barbados, against the rest of the teams as well,” the Pakistan all-rounder further added.

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