By Nawaz Gohar ; In a moment that marks the closing of a legendary chapter in Pakistan’s cricketing history, veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik has officially announced his retirement from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as a player.

The 43-year-old maestro, known for his incredible longevity and fitness, took to social media to share his decision, bringing a decorated 10-year journey in the league to an end.

Malik expressed deep gratitude for the decade he spent within the PSL ecosystem, noting that the friendships forged and the memories created on and off the field remain his most cherished achievements. “I will always remember every moment spent during the PSL,” Malik shared.

“After a decade-long journey filled with unforgettable milestones and invaluable relationships, the time has come for me to conclude this chapter as a player,” veteran Malik remarked.

Shoaib Malik departs as one of the most consistent performers in the tournament’s history. Over the course of 10 seasons, he represented a record four franchises: Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators. His statistical footprint is a testament to his class: Matches: 93, Runs: 2,350, Average: 33.09, Half-Centuries: 15 and Strike Rate: 127.78.

While Malik has hung up his PSL boots as a player, he hinted that his association with the game is far from over. Emphasizing that his passion for cricket remains undiminished, the former Pakistan captain expressed a strong desire to continue serving the sport in a different capacity. Whether moving into coaching, mentorship, or a management role, Malik assured his fans that he remains committed to the betterment of Pakistan cricket.

The announcement has triggered a wave of tributes from the global cricketing fraternity, with teammates and rivals alike hailing him as a true professional and a cornerstone of the PSL’s rise to international prominence.

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Domestic cricket should be at every venue in the country. Shoaib Malik

..Asghar Ali Mubarak…

Rawalpindi: Former captain of the national cricket team Shoaib Malik has said that teams from all over the world are playing modern-day cricket, we have to take Pakistan cricket to the standards of these teams, there are pitches of all conditions in Pakistan, domestic cricket should be at every venue in the country.

Talking to the media in Rawalpindi, Shoaib Malik said that Saim Ayub should not be wasted, he is an aggressive batsman who should play all three formats, anyone can open but Saim Ayub must be in the team, he will fail but he should be given a chance.

On this occasion, former captain Misbah-ul-Haq said that after the Champions T20 Cup, it will be known which players come to the fore, the event is being held to reduce the gap between international and domestic cricket.

He said that it is very important for players to gain experience, as the pressure on players increases when they get fewer opportunities.

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Karachi, 28 January 2022: Incredible knocks by Hussain Talat and Shoaib Malik after Usman Qadir’s economical two for 20 started Peshawar Zalmi’s HBL Pakistan Super League 2022 campaign with a win over Quetta Gladiators.

Hussain’s 52 at a blistering strike rate of just under 180 set the platform for Zalmi to overhaul the daunting target of 191 with two balls spare. The left-hander struck five fours and two sixes, before Shoaib, who made unbeaten 48 off 32, finished the job in the last over. The experienced all-rounder struck four sixes and a four. He set the match for his side by smashing James Faulkner for two sixes and a four in the last three balls of the penultimate over.

Usman Qadir was outstanding with the ball, delivering 14 dots in his four overs. After getting smashed for 14 in his first over, Usman’s last three overs added only six runs to Gladiators’ total. He broke Gladiators’ dangerous opening stand in the 16^th over as he accounted for Ahsan Ali and Ben Duckett in the same over.

This was Zalmi’s 10^th win over Gladiators in the 19 matches these two sides have played in the tournament.

Other performers:

Will Smeed had a fantastic start to his HBL PSL career – recording the highest score for any batter on debut in the tournament. The right-handed batter from England smashed an electrifying 97 off 62, crunching 11 fours and four sixes. He along with Ahsan Ali, who smoked 73 off 46 (eight fours and three sixes), put 155 runs for the opening wicket before the latter was removed in the 16^th over.

Such was the magnitude of his knock that despite being on the losing side, Smeed was named player of the match.

Zalmi’s Yasir Khan also had an impressive HBL PSL debut as the right-handed opener scored 30 off 12, smashing four fours and two sixes. It was the opening partnership of 43 from 21 balls between him and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (22 off 16) that provided Zalmi the impetus to overhaul the target.

Glaidators’ Mohammad Nawaz, when introduced into the attack in the fourth over, accounted for Yasir and in his next two overs removed Kohler-Cadmore and Haider Ali. He finished with three for 44.

Nawaz’s teammate Naseem Shah was the most economical from his side with his 3.4 overs giving away only 19 runs. Naseem’s tight lines and lengths, and subtle variations, allowed only six runs each in the 16^th and 18^th overs, keeping the contest alive till the end.

Quotes:

Will Smeed – It was a really good knock for me but the feeling would have been better if Quetta Gladiators would have won the match. I had a good run against Zalmi and I would try to use this start in upcoming matches as well. It’s a really good feeling to be playing in the HBL PSL and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.

Scores in brief:

Quetta Gladiators 190-4, 20 overs (Will Smeed 97, Ahsan Ali 73; Usman Qadir 2-20, Sameen Gul 2-41)

Peshawar Zalmi 191-5, 19.4 overs (Hussain Talat 52, Shoaib Malik 48 not out, Yasir Khan 30; Mohammad 3-44)

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Shoaib’s wife, Sania Mirza, and one-year-old son, Izhaan Mirza Malik, have been in India, while Shoaib has been in Sialkot since the imposition of international travel ban due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. Prior to the travel ban, Shoaib was involved for Peshawar Zalmi in the HBL Pakistan Super League, which commenced on 20 February before it was suspended on 17 March.

PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan: “Unlike the rest of us, Shoaib Malik has not seen his immediate family for nearly five months due to his commitments and the subsequent international travel bans following the Covid-19 pandemic. As travel restrictions are now slowly easing out and there is an opportunity for a family reunion, it is appropriate that at a human level we show compassion as part of our duty of care and respect Shoaib’s request.

“We have spoken with the England and Wales Cricket Board who understand the situation and have agreed to make an exception by helping Shoaib enter the country on 24 July. Of course, Shoaib will follow the UK government’s policies on visitors entering the country before integrating with the side.”

The team will depart on 28 June for Manchester, before driving to Derbyshire for their 14-day quarantine period during which they will be allowed to train and practice. Apart from training and practicing, there will be intra-squad matches to compensate for the lack of practice matches due to non-availability of local teams as the ECB is yet to commence its domestic season.

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Lahore: Shoaib Malik’s comeback 58 not out set a five-wicket for Pakistan in the first of the three-T20Is against Bangladesh at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

The 37-year-old had made his way to the middle with Pakistan two down for 35 runs in five overs in their pursuit of 142.

Malik crafted crucial partnerships with debutant Ahsan Ali, who made 36 runs from 32 balls, and Iftikhar Ahmed (16 off 13) which worth 46 and 36, respectively, over the course of his 45-ball innings.

Malik smashed five fours in his seventh T20I half-century as Pakistan chased down the target with three balls spare.

Bangladesh’s right-arm pacer Shafiul Islam took two for 27, while Mustafizur Rehman, Al-Amin Hossain and Aminul Islam picked up a wicket each.

Earlier, a solid bowling performance by Pakistan, in the latter half of the Bangladesh innings, restricted the visitors to 141 for five after the opening pair of Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Naim had knitted a 71-run partnership in 11 overs.

Tamim scored 39 off 34 balls, while Naim made 43 runs out of 41 balls at the back of three fours and two sixes.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, debutant Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan picked up a wicket each.

For leading Pakistan to a victory, Shoaib Malik was declared player of the match.

The second T20I will be played tomorrow (25 January) at the same venue.

Scores in brief

Bangladesh 141-5, 20 overs (Mohammad Naim 43, Tamim Iqbal 39)

Pakistan 142-5, 19.3 overs (Shoaib Malik 58 not out, Ahsan Ali 36; Shafiul Islam 2-27)

Result Pakistan won by five wickets

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Lahore:Pakistan recalled the experience pair of Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez for the three Bangladesh T20Is, which begin on Friday, to strengthen the side and provide depth in the batting department.

The two share 200 T20Is between them and are eager to impart their knowledge of international cricket to the youngsters, besides helping Babar Azam, the Pakistan captain, in executing his on-field plans effectively.

On the sidelines of a warm-up match at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium, which hosts the three-T20Is on 24, 25 and 27 January, Hafeez and Malik, who last played for Pakistan in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, had a conversation on how they looked to make the most of their returns in the Pakistan camp.

Mohammad Hafeez said: “The best you can do for the next generation of cricketers is to share your experience and that cannot be done with words but with actions. We have learned from our seniors on how to be successful in your cricketing career.

“It is an added role for us that we have to groom these young cricketers in the side and prepare them for the next 10-12 years.

“There is a pressure of captaincy which you and I have faced in our careers and we can take this off from Babar by putting up performances which can lead Pakistan to victories. We can back his plans and help him in their better execution on the field.

“It is an honour for me to wear the Pakistan cap. I am eager to wear the Pakistan kit and win matches for my country at this beautiful venue. I still remember the day when I made my international debut and I still have the same intensity in me. For me, this is not a comeback. I am looking forward to the challenge.”

Shoaib Malik said: “As a professional cricketer, you want to give your best shot whether you are playing club, league or international cricket. This doesn’t feel like a comeback because in my previous comebacks there have been more lengthy gaps as compared to this one. It is a wonderful feeling to be donning your country’s colours which cannot be described in words. There is certainly no comparison for it.

“Our inclusion will help the youngsters and our captain as we bring in the experience which we can share with them.

“Age is just a number and it should not be a metric to judge a player rather a player should be judged on the criteria set by the board and the management in regard to his on-field performances. Senior players bring in the experience, which they share with the youngsters and make the system stronger.”

The first ball of the first T20I is scheduled to be bowled at 2pm.

Upcoming fixtures:

1st T20I – Friday, 2pm

2nd T20I – Saturday, 2pm

3rd T20I – Monday, 2pm

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KARACHI: An unbeaten 58-ball 97 by Man-of-the-Match Babar Azam and a maiden half-century by Sunday’s debutant hero Hussain Talat helped Pakistan clinch the three-match T20I series 2-0 at the National Stadium on Monday.

West Indies were bowled out for 123, after Pakistan posted their highest-ever T20I total of 205 in the second match.

After facing a 143-run thrashing in the opening T20I, West Indies tried to put up a fight after losing Andre Fletcher for just 1 run to Mohammad Nawaz. Chadwick Walton resisted bravely with a 29-ball 40, but fell to Shadab Khan with Windies at 50-2 (8.1 overs).

Shadab struck again to remove Marlon Samuels 12 (22) with a catch by Asif Ali near the boundary. Wicketkeeper-batsman Denesh Ramdin, after failing to click in the first T20I, hit out at the Pakistani bowling before departing for 21 runs off 20.

Mohammad Amir cleaned up the middle-lower order with wickets of skipper Jason Mohammed 15 (18), Powell 3 (4), and Paul 17 (10). Emrit was run out for 1. Hasan Ali knocked out Williams’ stumps. Hussain Talat took two wickets, including the last one, to hand Pakistan an 82-run victory.

Babar 97*, Talat 63 power Pakistan to 205

Babar Azam fell just short of his maiden T20I hundred as he reached his best T20 score of 97*, while Hussain Talat smashed 63 from 41 balls to take Pakistan to their highest-ever total in T20 internationals, after the home team won the toss and chose to bat.

Pakistan lost opener Fakhar Zaman for run-a-ball 6 in the second over of the match. But they lost no momentum as both Babar Azam and Hussain Talat anchored the innings and brought Pakistan back on course.

Talat’s Islamabad United teammate Asif Ali, who was out for a disappointing 1 run in his debut T20I, hit a couple of powerful boundaries before getting caught in the deep at 14 (8).

Shoaib Malik contributed 17 runs from 7 balls. For West Indies, debutant Odean Smith, Emrit and Williams took a wicket each.

Pakistan team was unchanged from the first T20I. An already depleted West Indies suffered another blow, with their bowler Veerasammy Permaul ruled out of the remaining games due to an ankle injury.

In the first T20I on Sunday, Pakistan thrashed the West Indies by 143 runs to record the second-largest margin win in the shortest format of the game.

The third and final T20I will be played at the same venue on April 3, Tuesday.

Playing XI

Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed (c, wk), Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali

West Indies XI: Jason Mohammed (c), Andre Fletcher, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Keemo Paul, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Kesrick Williams, Odean Smith, Chadwick Walton, Rayad Emrit, Samuel Badree

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KARACHI: Pakistan thrashed West Indies by 143 runs to record the second-biggest margin win in T20I history as the tourists collapsed in the first match of the three-T20I series at National Stadium on Sunday.

West Indies batting collapsed at 60 after a sure-footed 41 by debutant Hussain Talat and a late cameo by veteran Shoaib Malik powered Pakistan to a mammoth 203-5.

Mohammad Nawaz struck in the inning’s first over after getting hit for six off his very first ball, removing Chadwick Walton for 6 (4). Mohammad Amir, in the inning’s second over, had Andre Fletcher caught on duck, leaving West Indies at 8-2.

Two balls later, Amir removed skipper Jason Mohammed for duck.

Wicketkeeper Dinesh Ramdin was out after a five-ball duck, off the first ball by Hasan Ali.

Shadab Khan caught and bowled Powell 5 (10), as Windies staggered to 27-5 in the seventh over. Marlon Samuels showed some resistance with 18 runs, but he was dismissed by Mohammad Nawaz as the collapse continued.

Shoaib Malik ripped through the lower order, removing pacer Emrit 11 (20) and Williams 0 (1).

Man-of-the-Match Hussain Talat, who took three catches in the field, took the last wicket to wrap up the match for Pakistan.

Talat, Malik blitz

Hussain Talat’s 37-ball 41 and a quickfire 37 by Shoaib Malik helped Pakistan put up their joint-highest score in the shortest format of the game. The previous best was also 203-5 against Bangladesh in 2008, also in Karachi.

West Indies put brakes on a flying start by Pakistan with two quick wickets after opting to bowl first, as the City of Lights lit up to welcome the return of international cricket after a hiatus of nine years.

West Indies had their first breakthrough as pacer Emrit removed Babar Azam for 13-ball 17, with Pakistan at 46-1.

Fakhar Zaman hit 39 off 24 balls before he was run out, leaving Pakistan at 65-2 in the eighth over.

Hussain Talat, who debuted today along with this Islamabad United teammate Asif Ali, fell short of a memorable fifty, getting run out after a 37-ball 41.

Skipper Sarfraz Ahmed contributed with a 22-ball 38, hitting some measured shots to steer Pakistan towards a respectable total.

Asif Ali, who rose to fame with his six-hitting ability in PSL 2018, had a forgettable debut with just 1 run.

Shoaib Malik smashed 37 off just 14 balls in the last overs, as West Indies struggled in the field with injuries and misfields.

Earlier, Hussain Talat and Asif Ali were handed their T20I debut caps by former captains Ramiz Raja and Waqar Younis ahead of the toss.

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed said he was proud and excited to be leading his team on home soil, as international cricket returned to Karachi after a hiatus of nine years.

“It feels great to be playing on our home soil, in front of our home crowd,” the skipper said at the toss, adding that the pitch looked good for batting.

Playing XI

Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed (c, wk), Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali

West Indies XI: Jason Mohammed (c), Andre Fletcher, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Keemo Paul, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Kesrick Williams, V Permaul, Chadwick Walton, Rayad Emrit, Samuel Badree

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KARACHI: Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2018 stars Asif Ali and Hussain Talat have both been named in the 12-member team to face West Indies in the first T20 international at National Stadium on April 1.

Both or either of Islamabad United’s hard-hitting batsman Asif Ali and his teammate, all-rounder Hussain Talat could make their debut for Pakistan on Sunday.

Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed confirmed the final 12 for the first T20I in a press conference today evening.

Ahmed Shehzad, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed (captain, wicketkeeper), Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali.

Returning pacers Rahat Ali and Usman Khan Shinwari and Lahore Qalandars’ speed sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi have been omitted from the lineup for the opening T20.

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KARACHI: Pakistan will take another significant step towards the revival of international cricket as World Twenty20 champions the West Indies feature in three back-to-back Twenty20 internationals in Karachi from Sunday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board have put in place stringent security arrangements for the West Indies team, with 8,000 policemen and paramilitary personnel guarding the visitors in and around the hotel and stadium.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee David Boon will supervise the series while ICC general manager cricket Geoff Allardice and umpires´ manager Adrian Griffith will also attend the matches to oversee arrangements.

The series comes as Pakistan is enjoying guarded optimism over the return of international cricket, driven from the country after a deadly militant attack targeting the Sri Lanka team in 2009.

Earlier this month Karachi successfully hosted the final of the popular Pakistan Super League (PSL), becoming the second major venue to host international matches after Lahore hosted Zimbabwe in 2015.

Lahore also hosted the PSL final in March last year, three World XI matches in September and one against Sri Lanka a month later.

This year´s PSL final was the first major cricket event in Karachi since 2009. Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed said he was overjoyed at the return of international matches to his home city.

“This is a great occasion,” said Sarfraz, the only player in the squad who has played a limited over international in Karachi before.

“We saw a big crowd in the PSl final so I hope they will come in big numbers for the Twenty20 series.”

The other two matches will be played on Monday and Tuesday.

Pakistan have done well in the shortest format of the game, having won 14 of the 17 Twenty20 internationals since Sarfraz took over as captain in September 2016.

That helped them reach the number one spot in Twenty20 rankings, having won 2-1 in New Zealand in January this year.

Sarfraz said he hoped his team would keep the momentum.

“Whatever team West Indies sends we have to play at our best because they have good shorter format players,” said the captain, whose team has only lost three of their 11 Twenty20 internationals against the West Indies.

Pakistan have included three newcomers in batsman Asif Ali, allrounder Hussain Talat and paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi — after the trio fared well in the PSL 2018.

West Indies will be without their regular Twenty20 captain Carlos Brathwaite, who opted out of the tour over security fears while openers Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis, all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, and spinner Sunil Narine were not available for selection due to their commitments to the Indian Premier League.

Middle order batsman Jason Mohammad will lead the side, which has four uncapped Twenty20 players in batsman Andre McCarthy, fast bowler Odean Smith, left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and all-rounder Keemo Paul.

Teams:

Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Rahat Ali, Usman Khan Shinwari, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

West Indies: Jason Mohammed (captain), Samuel Badree, Rayad Emrit, Andre Fletcher, Andre McCarthy, Keemo Paul, Veerasammy Permaul, Rovman Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Marlon Samuels, Odean Smith, Chadwick Walton, Kesrick Williams.

ICC match referee: David Boon (Aus)

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