Shoaib Malik confirms ODI retirement after World Cup exit

E-Paper | April 26, 2026

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

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.

A legend leaves the ODI field for the final time. — Cricket World Cup Twitter

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.

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M. Saeed

Jul 06, 2019 12:30am

Best wishes for future.

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RIZ

Jul 06, 2019 12:33am

Right decision by him he can still enjoy T20 leagues for few more years. Hafeez should follow his foot steps and just play T20 leagues now. Time for Pakistan to take some new talent from U-19 who are performing so well and have won all 6 ODIs in SA against SA U-19.

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Jul 06, 2019 12:35am

Good career but did not end on high note and retirement came late Vr

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Shah Jee

Jul 06, 2019 12:37am

Please retire from International T20 too!

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Jul 06, 2019 12:47am

Great commitment, good team member, was also successful captsin

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MEDUSA

Jul 06, 2019 12:51am

Thank you for your championship past performances and your devotion to your nation’s team! Pakistan cricket fans from around the world wish you all the best in your future endeavors

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Behram Sodawala

Jul 06, 2019 12:51am

Good for him, he should have not been selected in the very first place for the ODI World Cup 2019 as well, due to his continued failure, youngster were deprived an opportunity in the team.

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bhaRAT©

Jul 06, 2019 12:58am

Hafeez should follow. How many times he got out on the same irresponsible shot?

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stethoscope

Jul 06, 2019 01:01am

Thank you for being with us.

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Hindustani

Jul 06, 2019 01:05am

Good. Now spend quality time with Sania Mirza at Sheesha bar. :-)

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Magister

Jul 06, 2019 01:05am

And you made millions in the process as well!

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Gordon D. Walker

Jul 06, 2019 01:10am

Best wishes... Adieu... Take care... Gordon D. Walker Canada

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A Pakistani

Jul 06, 2019 01:21am

should have gone long time ago. if he was not part of squad, we would have been in the semi-final

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JackJones

Jul 06, 2019 01:25am

I wish you the best of luck and happy retirement. Please retire from all formats and provide an opportunity for other players. That is the best sacrifice for Pakistan Cricket.

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sami

Jul 06, 2019 01:34am

Thanks for your services to Pakistan Team. Let the youngsters be given a chance to play in ODI cricket.

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EX777

Jul 06, 2019 01:35am

Best news for Pakistan cricket.

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ghalib

Jul 06, 2019 01:40am

This is a disgrace for the PCB they could not tell Shoaib Malik he is no longer an international cricketer it takes Shoaib Malik to announce his retirement. Pathetic PCB.

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Danny

Jul 06, 2019 01:40am

Thank you Shoaib.

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EAM

Jul 06, 2019 01:41am

Please announce your retirement from T20 as well. Useless baggage needs to be offloaded

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Friend

Jul 06, 2019 01:55am

Well played Jijaji. Love from India.

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Arun

Jul 06, 2019 02:02am

A calm character indeed.

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British Pakistani

Jul 06, 2019 02:02am

Thanks Shoaib - and all the best

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Park logic

Jul 06, 2019 02:17am

Just like how Afridi announced his retirement thrice.

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Un-Zak

Jul 06, 2019 02:23am

Mishandled by PCB else he would have achieved much more. He had talent

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Urooj Zaidi

Jul 06, 2019 02:29am

Hafiz bhai please follow.

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Daskalos

Jul 06, 2019 02:31am

Well played and good luck.

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Tipu Sultan

Jul 06, 2019 02:31am

I wished he had retired before the WC. Pakistan should have given young players the chance to get the experience instead wasting on senior players who will not available for the next WC.

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Abba leo

Jul 06, 2019 02:37am

Thank you for your service, we don't need you for Twenty20 World Cup next year.

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Karachi Wala

Jul 06, 2019 02:42am

I think Shoib should call it a day to all international cricket. He can still make money by playing T20 leagues all around the world.

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Jul 06, 2019 02:45am

He supposed to retire a decade earlier.

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Imtiaz Ali Khan

Jul 06, 2019 03:04am

Good luck and thanks for the memories. Spend time with your family and stay blessed.

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IMTIAZ

Jul 06, 2019 03:11am

He is fit and will work hard in T-20 We haven't seen the last of him.

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zia

Jul 06, 2019 03:17am

this is good. He was given farewell today on ground

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Osman

Jul 06, 2019 03:25am

Shoaib Malik should have made this decision a long time ago.

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Raj

Jul 06, 2019 03:40am

Pakistan lost several matches because of his poor and irresponsible performance. Very inconsistent and very unreliable player despite huge experience. He is a liabilty to the team ,he shouldnt be selected in any format from now on. His time is up, he better relax at home and give chance to the performers please ,thank u we dont want u in any format.

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Khanzada

Jul 06, 2019 04:07am

Shoaib Malik is a mediocre player who has never delivered in any major tournaments. Despite consistent failures over 20 years he has been selected in the team due to favouritism and his relationship with powerful people in Politics and the PCB! The day he was selected for this World Cup was an unlucky day for Pak and thanks to Inzimm and Coach his inclusion in the earlier games cost Pakistan a place in the Semis. Now for Gods sakes keep him away from Pak Team for T20’s as he’s a troublemaker!

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PAKWC2023champs

Jul 06, 2019 04:12am

Good riddance and take Hafeez with you.

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Deepak

Jul 06, 2019 04:19am

Good decision.... it’s better to leave with respect.

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Being positive

Jul 06, 2019 04:27am

Best wishes from India!

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Gordon C Walker

Jul 06, 2019 05:00am

so sad that jijaji has retired from world cricket. Gordon C Swimmer Sri Lanka

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Dr Ahmad - Melbourne

Jul 06, 2019 05:07am

T20 World Cup next year is not for you...

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fairplay

Jul 06, 2019 05:47am

Appropriately done. Good luck. Thanks for years of service.

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Mishal

Jul 06, 2019 06:13am

Best wishes and thanks for the moments

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Mark

Jul 06, 2019 06:15am

Finally!

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Dr. Qamar Choudhry Holland

Jul 06, 2019 06:19am

Dropped after a disappointing W/C featuring 2 ducks in three maches. his selection is doubtfull,does not deserve but PM adviser jacked him, in past a PPP Senator back him, during career he is totally failed, & controversial cricketer, he was famous for jack selection, Thanks he left, we failed in world cup, he occupied seat of young talent. Pak nation will not remember him in good note, he should be barred T20 cricket. last but but not least Hafiz, Wahab given red flag, Macky, Inazi assistants.

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Shezad

Jul 06, 2019 06:24am

Good Chap. All the best.

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Nasir

Jul 06, 2019 06:47am

So late Shoaib, I wish you had taken the retirement before the world cup, Pakistan would have definietly be in the Semi final list.

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Dr. Doctor

Jul 06, 2019 06:58am

Good riddance.

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Jul 06, 2019 07:02am

No SM. You're not needed for T20 WC. Plz focus on your family Thanks!

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Janzsport

Jul 06, 2019 07:06am

The guy want to play t20 wc. Time the Pakistani board awakes and makes changes else same story in 2023

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Smarttycoon

Jul 06, 2019 07:11am

Yes! Come over to India and start a Cricket Academy.

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Cricjoe8

Jul 06, 2019 07:12am

Good riddance

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aamir

Jul 06, 2019 07:20am

get last...!!!

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abdullah

Jul 06, 2019 07:36am

Thank youu for retiting .no more than 32 years old should be allowed.

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Be honest

Jul 06, 2019 07:37am

Shoaib Malik is my all time favorite all rounder and great asset for Pakistan cricket team. Love you Shoaib brother. Stay blessed always.

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Babu

Jul 06, 2019 07:51am

Thank you for your contribution over the years.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Jul 06, 2019 08:11am

Chief conspirator Shoaib Malik finally retired. Now we need to get rid of Imad Wasim, Imam Ul Haq, Hassan Ali, Baber Azam and company to eliminate dirty politics and selfishness from the team. The team will get better and better under the leadership of Sarfaraz Ahmed but we need to get rid of conspirators as soon as possible.

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siddi

Jul 06, 2019 08:31am

Shoaib Malik is one of the best players Pakistan has produced. His record and longevity speak for themselves. But the curtain eventually falls on even the best of players. For me, the silver lining is that he would still be available for T20Is as he still has a lot to offer in that format. Thank you Shoaib for all your contributions to Pakistan cricket. You will always be remembered by your fans.

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Pakistani

Jul 06, 2019 08:43am

Should have retired before 2019 odi World Cup. Pakistan would have done better.

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Asif

Jul 06, 2019 09:28am

It will be a big mistake if he is selected for T20 internationals by Pakistan. Any youngster can easily replace him. He is just a bits and pieces cricketer.

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Ni3

Jul 06, 2019 10:00am

Your final match was against India, you score Zero, you lost it... So irritating end for your career.

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Mazhar Hussain

Jul 06, 2019 05:13pm

Since this man is not prepared to go and wants to play in t20 World for reasons having no rational, the selectors should now have guts and should not select him for t20. M Hafeez also had enough. He should also be axed as he is not prepared to retire himself.

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Shak

Jul 07, 2019 01:13am

Unfortunately, our cricketers don't know the right timing to retire. Always hang on too late rather than retire on the right time for the greater good of the team. Kept Haris Sohail out of the team for a few important games which cost Pakistan the semis. Respect his past services, but wish he would have retired before the World Cup!

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Shak

Jul 07, 2019 01:43am

@siddi, I don't recall him playing any a good innings for a long time now. That's why he was also finally dropped from this World Cup. He never really performed or won Pakistan any games in any big tournaments like the World Cup or even CT in 2017 How is he the best player Pakistan has ever produced? At best, he was a "bit and pieces" cricketer. Neither a specialist batsmen or bowler (but not really good at either in particular)

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