Twitter Reactions: Shoaib Malik retires from Test cricket

Twitter Reactions: Shoaib Malik retires from Test cricket: The elegant right handed Pakistani batsman has called time on his career. He has played 35 Test matches, scoring 1898 runs at an average of 35.76, along with a career best of 245 in his last Test series.

In a surprising announcement at the close of the third day’s play, an emotional Malik, 33, said that the “time was right” to move on, only three matches after his five-year exile from the Test team had come to an end.

“We have some good youngsters and now is the time to retire,” he said. “Family comes first. I want to focus on the 2019 World Cup.”

Malik made a fairytale return to the pack in the first Test at Abu Dhabi last month. Called in to the team as a late replacement for the injured Azhar Ali, he made a career-best 245 in his first appearance since the Edgbaston Test against England in 2010.

However, his scores have fallen away since that innings, with scores of 0, 2, 7, 38 and 0 in his next five innings, the latest duck coming on Tuesday as he was trapped lbw first-ball by a big in-swinger from James Anderson.

In a Twitter post, Malik added: “I have decided to retire from Test Cricket, will post my retirement blog soon. Please remember me in your Duas, love you all & thank you”

I have decided to retire from Test Cricket, will post my retirement blog soon. Please remember me in your Duas, love you all & thank you ??

— Shoaib Malik (@realshoaibmalik) November 3, 2015

Shoaib Malik was my childhood crush jab mein Budhi hogye hn to kea ab b wo retirement na lay

— Saima (@SaimaM_) November 3, 2015

#ShoaibMalik ends Day3 with career-best figures of 4-33, announces retirement #PakvsEng https://t.co/ciLrTutziN pic.twitter.com/BzR9nE06MK

— India Today (@IndiaToday) November 3, 2015

Hafeez's reaction at Shoaib Malik's retirement from Test cricket..!! pic.twitter.com/wlDknGQg4b

— The Team Pakistan (@TheTeamPakistan) November 3, 2015

Shoaib Malik: 'Family comes first. This is the right time to say goodbye to this format.'

— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) November 3, 2015

Unexpected development in Sharjah as @realshoaibmalik announces retirement from Test cricket. Says family comes first

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 3, 2015

@realshoaibmalik great player wonderful person&true friend.u proved urself by giving brilliant performance in test&got retired#respect#love

— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) November 3, 2015

@realshoaibmalik have been outstanding troughtout test career.u have served Pakistan at ur best.wish u all the success in ur T20&Odi career.

— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) November 3, 2015

https://twitter.com/MavellousSamad/status/661554835691577344

Great and brave decision bro @realshoaibmalik
good luck for rest of cricket

— Usman (@US_says) November 3, 2015

Nojawabo Ko Aagay Aanay Ka Mauqa Milna Chahiye. All Rounder Shoaib Malik Ne Test Cricket Se Retirement Ka Elan Ker Dia.

— Karachi News Group (@MrKhiNeWs) November 3, 2015

https://twitter.com/ansarabbas10/status/661555326341259264

Hearing that Shoaib Malik, inspired by #AwardWapsi, has also returned his cricketership. if this is not globalisation, what else is?

— Vivek Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) November 3, 2015

@realshoaibmalik y not after end of series if you really want to do so? Y just during a match?

— Engr AQ Khan (@aq263) November 3, 2015

https://twitter.com/urstrulydashing/status/661555374281986049

Why @realshoaibmalik why ?? Only 35 matches don't u think its too early..sheer talent like u shld have some records to ur credit #AskMalik

— Hassan Raza (@raxa01) November 3, 2015

@realshoaibmalik Why this sudden retirement decision, you are just doing fine than young lot ? #AskMalik

— Ana Miskeen (@Trisolaran) November 3, 2015

#ShoaibMalik retires from test cricket???❤
End of an era ?#Pakistan #PCB #Cricket

— Maheen (@MaheenKanwall) November 3, 2015