Shoaib Malik can have farewell dinner, not match: Wasim

Published July 6, 2019
Pakistani cricket legend, Wasim Akram speaks during a press briefing at the 13-day camp under the Pakistan Cricket Board in Karachi on August 1, 2015.   Pace legend Wasim Akram said he was confident Pakistan's pool of young fast bowling talent would secure their future as he prepared to train a group of budding bowlers.   AFP PHOTO / Asif HASSAN
Pakistani cricket legend, Wasim Akram speaks during a press briefing at the 13-day camp under the Pakistan Cricket Board in Karachi on August 1, 2015. Pace legend Wasim Akram said he was confident Pakistan's pool of young fast bowling talent would secure their future as he prepared to train a group of budding bowlers. AFP PHOTO / Asif HASSAN

LONDON: After defeating South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan in the second half of the World Cup, Pakistan made a fine comeback to come close to qualifying for the semi-finals.

While Babar Azam, Mohammad Amir and Haris Sohail earned plaudits from their fans, veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik badly failed to live up to his reputation.The 37-year-old Malik, who announced that the World Cup would be his last appearance on the international stage, managed to score just eight runs in three innings at the mega event. He collected eight against England, and followed it up with two consecutive ducks against Australia and India.

Former Pakistan skipper Wasim is clear that Malik has done nothing to earn a spot in the national squad. “This is not club cricket that you call a cricketer for a final match. [However] we can absolutely have a farewell dinner for him [Malik],” Wasim said.

Wasim followed it up by adding that despite his poor showing at the World Cup, Malik should be remembered for his contribution to Pakistan cricket.

“Unfortunately for him, he is not ending his career on a high — which he deserved, as he has done a lot for Pakistan cricket. He had a poor World Cup, was dismissed on duck twice, but this can happen to anyone. But we should remember his services for Pakistan cricket.

“He has won many matches for the country and at the end of the day, he is a nice guy. Let’s send him a nice farewell for once. It’s true that he did not perform well, but nobody does it on purpose,” the pace bowling legend added.

Prior to Pakistan’s final league match against Bangladesh at Lord’s on Friday, when asked whether Malik would get a final outing, Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed replied, “We haven’t seen the pitch yet and we will play our best combination.”

Malik did not feature in Pakistan’s playing XI on Friday, which confirmed the right-hander’s final appearance in the World Cup was against India, which his team lost by 89 runs.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...