Shoaib Malik finished the shortened PSL 2021 as the fourth-highest run-scorer and is currently averaging 75 in the National T20 Cup.
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Veteran cricketer Shoaib Malik is set to make a return for Pakistan after being named as an injury replacement ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The 39-year-old replaces Sohaib Maqsood, who is out with a back injury. The extent of the damage was revealed by an MRI scan, prompting Pakistan to make the change.
“Sohaib is devastated to miss out on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as he had worked hard for this event and was in sparkling form,” said Pakistan chief selector Muhammad Wasim.
“We feel for him but injuries are part and parcel of the sport. I am sure after undergoing rehabilitation, he’ll fully recover to be available for future assignments. I am sure Shoaib’s experience will be handy for the entire squad,” he added.
Reserve players Khushdil Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, and Usman Qadir are still on the bench after being passed over for a spot. Despite the fact that he is nearing the end of his career, Shoaib remains a reliable performer on the T20 stage. He finished the shortened 2021 Pakistan Super League as the fourth-highest run-scorer and is currently averaging 75 in the National T20 Cup. Shoaib has 646 runs at 29.36 with three fifties in 29 innings in 2021.
He joins Sarfaraz Ahmed, Haider Ali, and Fakhar Zaman in receiving late call-ups to the squad for the first time since the third T20I against England in September 2020. Shoaib has played 443 T20Is in his distinguished career, the most of any Pakistani player in the format (115). He captained the team at the first World T20 in 2007, and was a member of the team that won the tournament two years later in England.
This is not the only change that the Pakistan cricket team has undergone ahead of the start of the men’s T20 world cup. Misbah ul Haq and Waqar Younis have stepped down from their roles as coaches for the national cricket team. The decision by the two was communicated to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday morning. Misbah was the head coach of the side while Waqar, unsurprisingly, was the bowling coach. The two are legends of Pakistan cricket and their departures certainly are not good news.
Misbah said that his decision to step down from the role of head coach was primarily his family’s welfare. “The quarantine in Jamaica post the West Indies series provided me with an opportunity to reflect on the past 24 months as well as the schedule for international cricket ahead. Considering that I would have had to continue to spend considerable time away from my family and that too in a bio-secure environment, I have decided to step down from the role,” the former cricketer said.
“I understand that the timing may not be ideal but I don’t think I am in the right frame of mind for the upcoming challenges and it makes sense for someone fresh to step-in and take the side forward. The past 24 months have been thoroughly enjoyable and I want to thank my team and the management for their support. I wish the Pakistan cricket team best of luck in the upcoming events and will continue to support them every time they will take the field to represent Pakistan,” he added.
