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Shoaib Malik, the former Pakistan captain known for his dynamic all-round abilities, has decided to step away from international cricket as of July 25. According to reports, he expressed contentment with his current life and indicated no desire to return to playing for Pakistan.
Although Malik has not formally announced his retirement from international cricket, a senior Pakistani journalist disclosed that he has chosen to conclude his illustrious career that spanned more than two decades. This decision comes after Malik made headlines earlier this year with his third marriage to Sana Javed.
Shoaib Malik retires from international cricket, with no plans to pursue coaching.
Malik burst onto the cricket scene with his explosive batting and handy off-spin during domestic matches, marking his ODI debut for Pakistan against the West Indies in 1999. Known for his aggressive style and versatility, he quickly made a mark, especially during the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup where his all-round skills began to shine brightly under pressure.
His journey continued with a Test debut in Multan against Bangladesh in 2001, leading to 35 Test appearances for Pakistan. Malik retired from Test cricket in 2015 after accumulating 1898 runs and taking 32 wickets across his Test career, culminating with his final match against England in Sharjah in November 2015.
Transitioning his focus to limited-overs formats, Malik played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s triumph at the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017. His contributions were notable until he decided to retire from ODIs following the 2019 World Cup, marking the end of an era characterized by his consistent performances and valuable contributions to Pakistan cricket.
Shoaib Malik had a remarkable career as a Pakistan all-rounder.
Throughout his illustrious ODI career, the former Pakistan captain showcased his prowess with a total of 7534 runs, including nine centuries and 44 fifties, complemented by 158 wickets in 287 matches. Even as he remained a pivotal figure in Pakistan’s T20I squad, his journey continued to flourish in the fast-paced format.
Malik’s impact extended globally, making him a sought-after player in various domestic T20 leagues. Despite occasional controversies and fluctuations in form, his resilience and talent consistently kept him in the limelight.
Notably successful in leagues such as the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and numerous overseas tournaments, Malik accumulated 2435 runs and 28 wickets in 124 T20I matches. His final appearance in this format came against Bangladesh in Mirpur in 2021.
Despite demonstrating impressive form and maintaining peak fitness, Malik faced a four-year absence from Pakistan’s national team selection. Ultimately, after patiently awaiting an opportunity that never materialized, he made the decision to retire from cricket, marking the end of an era filled with remarkable achievements and contributions to the sport.
According to a post on social media by Pakistani sports journalist Saleem Khaliq, Shoaib Malik has announced his retirement from international cricket. Khaliq mentioned that Malik has no intentions of pursuing a coaching role with the national team. However, Malik expressed a keen interest in contributing as a mentor in domestic cricket, aiming to enhance grassroots development in Pakistan.
Saleem Khaliq posted on X: “Played cricket for Pakistan for years, enjoyed it very much, I am very happy and satisfied with my present life, now I have no interest to play for Pakistan again, not interested in coaching the national team, but as a domestic mentor. I will definitely offer my services at the level of Shoaib Malik.”
