Shoaib Malik desires to play till the T20 World Cup of 2020

Shoaib Malik, who has been the mainstay of Pakistan batting for a number of years now, has dismissed any claims of him retiring from the sport anytime soon as he is currently targeting to take part in the next ICC T20World Cup scheduled to be played in the year 2020 in Australia.

Malik further mentioned that form and fitness are two crucial factors which would be necessary to sustain his place in the Pakistan side. A lot of questions were raised for his place in Pakistan batting line up along with that of Mohammad Hafeez in the recently concluded Champions Trophy. The two stalwarts are the most experienced players in Pakistan batting lineup as of now.

Malik suggested that he was responsible enough to justify his place in the side as he quit from Test cricket voluntarily to focus only one the limited-over format. According to Malik, his move paid rich dividends as his performances have significantly improved since his retirement from the longest format of the game.

Form and fitness crucial for my targets: Malik

“If my form does not desert me and If I can maintain my current fitness standards, I will call it a day after playing in the 50-over World Cup and then the World T20,” stated Shoaib Malik according to recent reports from DNA. He then disclosed that his target is to become the first Pakistani to be part of winning team in all three major ICC events, as he has already been a part of the winning squad of 2009 and recently concluded Champions Trophy.

“My ambition is to become the first Pakistani player to have featured in teams that have won three ICC events. Everything will depend on how much I can continue contributing to the team as a senior player. I myself would not like to remain part of the national team if I feel I am becoming a burden. I will retire. But right now after winning the Champions Trophy I am very optimistic we can win the next World Cup in England,” explained Malik.

“I retired from Test cricket in November 2015 after scoring a double hundred in the series against England because I wanted to focus on ODIs and T20 cricket. And I think I have vindicated and justified my place in the team. I think my performances since my retirement from Test cricket speak for themselves” concluded Shoaib Malik.