'Don't need an 80-year-old running around in two people' - Simon Doull reckons Pakistan should avoid playing Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez together

Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull has said that he doesn’t want Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik playing together in the Pakistan XI during the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. Hafeez has been playing some really good T20 cricket in recent times and despite being 41 years old has managed to earn his spot. Malik is 39 on the other hand and wasn’t the first-choice pick. 

Shoaib Maqsood’s injury allowed Malik to come into the squad but Doull feels that playing them together could be a loss for the team. He pointed out the age of the two players and said he would want to see only one of them in the middle order. Pakistan already announced their 12-men squad for the big opening game against India on October 24 in Dubai. 

From the looks, it seems that Malik will be the one who sits out with Haider Ali coming in at the no. 5 position. As a matter of fact, Doull also had a similar opinion on the selection. He said on the Cricbuzz show, “I don’t think they can play Hafeez and Shoaib Malik together. You don’t need an 80-year-old running around in two people. That can’t happen. I just don’t think they can play two 40-year-olds on the same team so I will go with Hafeez and Haidar Ali.”

Shoaib Malik was really bad in the CPL: Simon Doull

While explaining his opinion, the former cricketer turned commentator revealed that Malik was not in good form during the Caribbean Premier League 2021. Doull was in the West Indies during the tournament for his commentary job and presentation, where he watched both the players. He noted the differences in Malik’s game now and also revealed that it is Hafeez’s bowling ability that allows him to come on top for Pakistan XI. 

“I watched them both in the CPL and, I mean, I have got to say Shoaib Malik was really bad. Really bad. Eyes were gone, [he was] really struggling. I know he had one really good innings in the [National T20 cup] but I just watched him enough in the CPL to think I just couldn’t have the two of them in the same team. They both struggle to get going early on so they have to make that choice. And because Hafeez can bowl a bit still, that’s why I would go with him,” Doull said.