Pakistan's Malik confirms ODI retirement after World Cup exit

| | London
  • 0

Pakistan's Malik confirms ODI retirement after World Cup exit

Saturday, 06 July 2019 | AFP | London

Pakistan's Malik confirms ODI retirement after World Cup exit

Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik confirmed his retirement from one-day cricket without making a farewell appearance in his side's victory over Bangladesh.

Malik had admitted last year that he intended to quit one-day cricket after the World Cup and he followed through with that plan after Pakistan's 94-run win at Lord's.

The 37-year-old will continue to play the Twenty20 format, but he admitted it was an emotional moment to call time on his ODI career.

"I am retiring from one-day cricket," said Malik, who was dropped after a disappointing World Cup featuring two ducks in three maches.

"I'm sad as I'm leaving the format I loved the most but this will allow me to spend more time with my family and concentrate on the Twenty20 World Cup next year," added Malik, who is married to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza.

Malik's decision came after a Pakistan win which was not enough to take the 1992 champions into the semi-finals.

Pakistan were ousted by New Zealand on net run-rate despite finishing level on 11 points after nine matches.

Malik appeared in 287 one-day internationals and scored 7,534 runs with nine hundreds.

His last appearance came in the defeat against arch rivals India in Manchester on June 16.

As an off-spinner he finished with 158 wickets, while he also captained Pakistan in 41 ODIs.

Malik said he was disappointed to finish on a low note.

"Yes, I wanted to help my team win the World Cup as a senior but at times things don't go the way you think and that's part and parcel of cricket," he said.

"You don't judge a player on two or three matches, but I am still happy that the player who replaced me performed well," Malik said of Haris Sohail, who scored half-centuries against South Africa and New Zealand.

"I never thought that I will play 20 years for Pakistan but when you play with hard work and honesty you achieve the best and that happened with me.

"I am satisfied with my ODI career and winning the Champions Trophy has been the highlight of my ODI career," he added of Pakistan's triumph in England two years ago.

State Editions

Gun violence in Capital: One dead, another injured

10 November 2024 | Staff Reporter | Delhi

Man stabs mother over disagreement on emigration

10 November 2024 | Staff Reporter | Delhi

10,000 volunteers reinstated in Delhi to fight against pollution

10 November 2024 | Staff Reporter | Delhi

LG administers oath of office to new NDMC team

10 November 2024 | Staff Reporter | Delhi

DDA issues SoP for upgrading schools

10 November 2024 | Staff Reporter | Delhi

Sunday Edition

The Tuning Fork | The indebted life

10 November 2024 | C V Srikanth | Agenda

A comic journey | From Nostalgia to a Bright New Future

10 November 2024 | Supriya Ghaytadak | Agenda

A Taste of China, Painted in Red

10 November 2024 | SAKSHI PRIYA | Agenda

Cranberry Coffee and Beyond

10 November 2024 | Gyaneshwar Dayal | Agenda

The Timeless Allure of Delhi Bazaars

10 November 2024 | Kanishka srivastava | Agenda

A Soulful Sojourn in Puri and Konark

10 November 2024 | VISHESH SHUKLA | Agenda