I have no plans to retire now because I am fit, can bat and bowl: Shoaib Malik

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik made it clear on Friday that he has no plans to retire just yet after rumours of the all-rounder’s future started doing the rounds yet again in the cricketing fraternity.

Malik, who only plays the shortest format for Pakistan after retiring from Tests and ODIs, said that he is still fit enough to give younger players a run for their money and represent the national team.

Malik has played 116 T20Is for Pakistan, scored 2335 runs at 31.13 and taken 28 wickets since making his debut in the format in 2006. He is the third-highest run-scorer in T20 cricket behind Chris Gayle (13,885) and Kieron Pollard (10,710) with 10,488 runs from 417 matches.

“I am saying very clearly today I have not even thought about retirement. I have no plans to retire now because I am fit, I can bat, and I can bowl,” the 39-year-old batsman told the media on Friday.

“I have recently signed two-year contracts in some leagues so where does the question of me taking retirement after the World Cup arise.

“I can field in hotspots, I can take two runs and I can save two runs. When I have to bowl I can also bowl and I am batting well. My fitness is top grade,” Malik said.

Malik, despite now focussing only on the shortest format, has been kept out of the Pakistan’s T20 squad since last year as head coach Misbah-ul-Haq keep on trying several new players in the batting order.

Malik apparently has made it clear to the head coach that even if they consider selecting him again he will bat at number four on a set position and not be moved around like in the past.

Malik also made the point that whenever he played in the Pakistan Super League or other foreign leagues he kept on performing in the shortest format and even now worked very hard on his fitness to compete with younger players.