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At the just concluded Asia Cup 2022 final where Pakistan were seen as firm favourites to win what could have been their third title against a side who had defied the odds being the underdogs – Sri Lanka. The result was however such that Pakistan got marmalised by 23 runs at the hands of resilient Sri Lankan team, who extended their title tally to six.
After the event, social media was in an uproar with the mutual feelings of cricket pundits and irate fans expressing their discontent on Pakistan's loss. Amid the furore, sundry of Pakistani fans and cricket analysts missed the expertise of Shoaib Malik in the hindsight. Malik has been a stalwart for Pakistan cricket fortifying the middle order which has been sorely lacking for Pakistan and has been the cause of the downfall of the team as the team is seen to be hinging upon a lot on the opening pair – Babar and Rizwan. As a result, it was deliberated whether the omission of Malik from the squad was the right call given his vast amount of experience as a middle order batter which bailed Pakistan out from hairy situations numerous times.
Now a six-month-old video has resurfaced on social media of the 40 year old veteran cricketer Shoaib Malik where he drops a bombshell over the chat he had with captain Babar Azam in respect of the Asia Cup selection snub.
“Yes, I talked to Babar. He asked me if I wanted to retire when we were at the (T20) World Cup (2021). See, there should be a transparent conversation on these things, everyone should know what I want. I've played for so many years, I think I deserve that much. There must be some clarity on what the board wants and what the player wants,” - Malik reveals in a video regarding his conversation with Babar Azam over his future. “So, Babar asked me that. I told him, 'Babar, considering the environment right now and whatever happened with me during the recent past, I don't want to play. If you want an answer on my fitness or whether I could be a burden on the team, there's nothing like that. You know my fitness. If you want me to play, though, I will be available for Pakistan.”
On further revelation, Malik divulged that both he and Babar came to terms with Babar making the ultimate decision for the seasoned cricketer’s future in the Pakistan team. "(I said), ‘if you want me to play selected matches or series, I want you to communicate that to me. If you think I can play longer, I am available. He said ‘okay, you play. I will let you know which series you will play’. We talked about this during the World Cup right before we had the series against Bangladesh. Before the Windies series, he said he wanted to test some new guys, so he rested me," he added.
“Before the one-off Australia T20I, he told me that I will tell you. I told Babar, 'if you think I'm not needed anymore, you can tell me. I understand that there are new players coming up. I will be happy to step aside'.”
Malik was also disgruntled at former Pakistan cricketers not getting an idyllic farewell and reverence after calling it a day to the game.
“In recent past, there have been many legends in our country who didn't receive the send-off they deserved. Every cricketer wants that. Mohammad Hafeez retired recently, and we could have showed a small gesture in way of a trophy or a souvenir to him during the PSL to thank him for his services,”- Malik concluded.
