Shoaib Malik retires from Tests citing 'family reasons'
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Pakistan's veteran allrounder Shoaib Malik has announced his retirement from Test cricket citing 'family reasons'
The 33-year-old Malik, who returned to the Test side for the series against England after a gap of five years, scored a career-best 245 in his comeback knock in the first game but failed miserably in the next five innings.
In focus: Shoaib Malik: Wearing the inside out
Malik made a comeback to the Test side after scoring 500 runs with a century and three fifties at an average of 100 in 11 ODI innings in 2015.
In an emotional press conference, the former captain said he wanted to 'spend more time with his family and focus on the 2019 World Cup.'
“I am retiring from Test cricket after this match,” Malik told reporters.
“The reason of my retirement from Test is not because of slump in form but it's because I want to give more time to my family and concentrate on the 2019 World Cup.”
“I realised today that this is the right time to leave the place for youngsters and Pakistan have many talented players who can fill in,” said Malik, who made his Test debut against Bangladesh in Multan in 2001.
In all, he played 35 Tests, scoring 1,898 runs with three centuries and eight half-centuries.
He has so far taken 29 wickets, with his best figures of 4-33 coming on Tuesday against England in Sharjah, a figure to which he can possibly add a few in England's second innings.
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On DawnNews
Comments (107) Closed
Nov 03, 2015 07:03pm
Good luck
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Nov 03, 2015 07:04pm
O no what is going on
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Nov 03, 2015 07:05pm
common sense prevailed. thank you.
misbah should retire too after this series (on high note) - younis you too please
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Nov 03, 2015 07:07pm
Good riddance!!!
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Nov 03, 2015 07:09pm
He must retire from one day too...there are many deserving players in line.wish him good luck but he must let the others come.
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Nov 03, 2015 07:11pm
good decision.
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Nov 03, 2015 07:11pm
I respest /salute your decison.Best of luck
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Nov 03, 2015 07:11pm
THANK YOU!! Pleased to know.....
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Nov 03, 2015 07:11pm
Thank You
Please bring Fawad Alam in all formats
Malik is always is a problem
We lost Mohd Yousuf because of him and Akmal brothers
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Nov 03, 2015 07:14pm
He should have always aimed simple life.He didnt.
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Nov 03, 2015 07:14pm
Good riddance. He was more of a liability than a team player
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Nov 03, 2015 07:24pm
..and this couldn't wait till the end of the series?
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Nov 03, 2015 07:24pm
Test cricket is more demanding and required higher fitness level which he is not
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Nov 03, 2015 07:25pm
@Truth No more Akmals please. Play your fantasy cricket else where.
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Nov 03, 2015 07:25pm
Thank you.Please tell Hafeez to retire as well.
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Nov 03, 2015 07:29pm
Many players will put pressure on Shoaib Malik to take his retirement back...there is no harm if he continues for a while...but it will be not easy...
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Nov 03, 2015 07:30pm
Family is a good reason. Have a good time.
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Nov 03, 2015 07:35pm
why was he selected for England series on batting friendly pitches... and now he retires before hard series in ENG and AUS. anyways its good to hear that he is retired.
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Nov 03, 2015 07:45pm
Fawad can never be replacement of this great player!!! Shoaib you deserve respect and glory, well played, great service to Pakistan and its nation.
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Nov 03, 2015 07:45pm
Thank on young players take Misbah with you, it is a great services to Pak nation if you leave ODI & T20 also.
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Nov 03, 2015 07:47pm
OK Thank U TATA BYE BYE
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Nov 03, 2015 07:49pm
Inevitable - the 245 runs proved a false dawn.
He has only scored 47 runs in 5 innings since then, and today's 1st ball duck really was the final nail in the coffin.
However, this is Pakistan - so this retirement means absolutely nothing.
Expect him to be back sooner rather than later - as the 'family' will encourage him to reverse the decision.
And if PTI and MQM politicians can withdraw their resignations, so can he I guess.
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Nov 03, 2015 07:51pm
Malik pls take Hafiz, Misbah & Azhar with u, no need to wait T20 for 2016 & W/c 2019 say Good bye to these format. politics will go out from Pak cricket
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Nov 03, 2015 07:54pm
After scoring his double century he has done absolutely nothing at number three except add to the Pakistanis frail batting show, even today's Golden duck was a prime example of why he should never have been at number three, asking Azhar to open the batting so that we could accommodate Malik was one of the worst decisions any management team has ever made.
Saying that if we lose this test match a large proportion of the blame must be levelled on Sarfraz in the first innings and then on Azhar in the second innings and Malik in both innings.
Please blood our youngsters and give them a run to build confidence
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Nov 03, 2015 08:00pm
Great player. Good luck for the future.
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Nov 03, 2015 08:01pm
I respect his decision, but he has done well both batting & bowling. Again it is something he needs to give time to his family, that is more important. Good Luck. Hope you do good in T20 and ODIs.
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Nov 03, 2015 08:04pm
Wish him all the best
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Nov 03, 2015 08:11pm
When wife is working and performing so well.....no need to work!
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Nov 03, 2015 08:12pm
thanks Malik for giving us some memorable innings, particularly against indians.
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Nov 03, 2015 08:14pm
@Mani
after shoaib,Misbah,Younis retirement,as per your recommendation, Who will play test match?
have some common sense
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Nov 03, 2015 08:18pm
@mani So whose going to play then if they retire? Very illogical comment.
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Nov 03, 2015 08:19pm
Ahead of tough ENG/AUS, he "retires".
Please also retire from ALL formats. You will be a liability in WORLD CUP 2019.
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Nov 03, 2015 08:27pm
Always a good man. Wish him luck
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Nov 03, 2015 08:28pm
Wise decision. Hafeez should also learn the lesson and announce his retirement, otherwise on next year England tour Pakistan shall always be o for 1 or 5 for 1.
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Nov 03, 2015 08:31pm
Premature, may be he got nervous. He has lot of test cricket left in him.
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Nov 03, 2015 08:38pm
Test Cricket Has Less money
And also mostly he is not relaible batsman in test cricket
Also please correct he scored 500 runs in 2015 in domestic cricket not international cricket.
Fawad Alam is out after remarkable performance in 2014 for internatinal cricket.
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Nov 03, 2015 08:39pm
@mani definitely team need both Misbah and Younus. Someone so productive after years of cricket should be admired not punished. They can be an asset to groom young players. Their presence not only take away some of the pressure that new players feel but also is a constant source of on field guidance and tips which new players can not get in practicing nets.
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Nov 03, 2015 08:39pm
@iqbal Khan
Only You Think he is a good man
I can see you without knowing you
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Nov 03, 2015 08:42pm
@Ali (Lahore)
What a pathetic and misogynistic comment.
You really need to do some inner soul-searching. This is 2015 sir, not 1915.
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Nov 03, 2015 08:43pm
We should appreciate Shoaib’s decision, at least he realized he is not fit and proper for 5 days Cricket. He should give more focus to oneday Cricket as being alrounder he can easily fill the gap of Haffeez bowling.
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Nov 03, 2015 08:44pm
Good decision plus he makes himself available for T20 leagues around the world where he makes pretty decent money by playing only 3 to 4 hours instead of 5 days in a row.
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Nov 03, 2015 08:47pm
This is rare Gem in Asia, no body does that. Malik you are proud gentleman.
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Nov 03, 2015 08:52pm
He took 4 important wickets and he may be a factor when England bats again, but this is a good decision. His batting technique is not quite suited for this format despite his great innings in the first test. I think this is a wise decision, though it's a bit strange that he announced it before the test concluded.
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Nov 03, 2015 08:52pm
@Shaista Rare gem or the clear acceptance that you're not fit to bat in tests?
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Nov 03, 2015 09:10pm
Little late! But wise decision.
Good luck in T20...
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Nov 03, 2015 09:14pm
@Shaista The proud gentleman wants to play more in the lucrative leagues of t20
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Nov 03, 2015 09:14pm
Nobody is perfect. Shoaib Malik has always been one of the under appreciated players just like Abdur Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood and many others. Thank you for your service Shoaib. Wish you best for the future.
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Nov 03, 2015 09:22pm
Good luck Shoaib.
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Nov 03, 2015 09:34pm
Godo luck!! I thought you were doing well but respect the decision. All the best for ODI format.
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Nov 03, 2015 09:34pm
I have never liked Shoaib Malik as a cricketer. He is better suited in PMLN for his political acumen. Who does not remember his coup against Yunus Khan? I think this is the best thing he has done for Pakistan cricket, by retiring. Good luck in your future endeavers.
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Nov 03, 2015 09:36pm
@Dr Rehman (Dow Wala)
Thank you for the compliment, same to you.
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Nov 03, 2015 09:36pm
@mani Yeah right...so that Pakistan's score in next test match would not even reach 150
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Nov 03, 2015 09:58pm
@khamkhwa That coup against Younis was the most disgusting thing I have read or heard in sports. The details of that whole incident still leave a bad taste in my mouth. Im glad you at least remembered how shamefully he insulted Pakistans greatest batsman.
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Nov 03, 2015 10:01pm
Very average player
Certainly does not deserve to be in the Pakistani cricket team as he does not have the talent needed to play at the top level
Good luck and best wishes anyway
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Nov 03, 2015 10:03pm
Some times I wonder what has humankind come to. Here is a sportsman who is retiring at his own will. He has served his country well both as captain and a player. So what is wrong in wishing him well in his retirement and allowing him to spend time with his family. So despite all the sad people here saying rude things, wishing Mr Shoaib Malik All The Best in His Retirement - May you many happy years with your family.
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Nov 03, 2015 10:13pm
Wise decision. All the best for future.
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Nov 03, 2015 10:14pm
On the contrary his wife's career is booming. She won the 10th title in a single year with Martina Hingis.
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Nov 03, 2015 10:19pm
Thanks shoaib Malik.
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Nov 03, 2015 10:19pm
Well played ..
Great player - Gud luk in future endeavors
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Nov 03, 2015 10:30pm
Shoaib Malik was in prime form during the 2003 WC under Waqar Younus, but he was never selected to play a match in the WC. Again in 2015 WC he was sidelined by the coach. What a shame.
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Nov 03, 2015 10:35pm
@mani MISBAH NO! He is backbone of Pakistan Test team
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Nov 03, 2015 10:36pm
@Truth No Fawad Alam ,only Haris Sohail,Mohammad Rizwan,Immad Wasim.
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Nov 03, 2015 10:38pm
@Awal khan No Misbah should stay,why you want to get rid of back bone of team batting?
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Nov 03, 2015 10:39pm
@Logic Don't agree considering his Man of Series performance in back to back ODI & T20 series.He is fine in that format.
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Nov 03, 2015 10:54pm
@Saeed Rasool What has Hafeez, Misbah, and Azhar done to you? They have saved Pakistan countless times. You probably don't know cricket or cricketers well enough.
Atlanta
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Nov 03, 2015 11:09pm
@M Akram How do you know he is retiring on his own will? Do you have a crystal ball? He is being gently eased out is the way I see it. It was very sudden wasnt it. How do you know he is retiring to spend time with his family? You are aware there is a new t20 league coming up in Dubai as well from March next year as well as the PSL? Finally, please tell me what mr Malik did as a a captain and as a player. Simple request. Thanks.
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Nov 03, 2015 11:27pm
Mosbah repaid his debt to Shoaib, and Shoaib retires. Good decision and all the best for one day format. A player should stick with his strengths.
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Nov 03, 2015 11:28pm
Respect Mr. Malik
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Nov 03, 2015 11:33pm
Thank you for the decision. Should have retired a few years ago.
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Nov 03, 2015 11:35pm
Good decision.
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Nov 03, 2015 11:38pm
This message is from Hyderabad, India. Good that you have retired, you can focus on IPL as India Pakistan relations are going to get better. Don't leave out on fitness.
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Nov 03, 2015 11:39pm
This looks like an emotional decision as this is the best form we have seen of him in many years.There is no guarantee for him to be in the side for the 2019 world cup.He will be in his late thirties then,he has always been in and out of form and on occasions has used influences to get in the side, his record is not high class by any means,he probably wants to accompany his wife when she travels and perhaps raise a family that is the only conclusion we can make.
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Nov 03, 2015 11:48pm
@Shahid Sahib He played for his country and that is more than what you or I have done. Living away from my country, I and my children who love and play cricket will support our country men in green caps anytime and any where.
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Nov 03, 2015 11:52pm
My Respects to you Mr Malik. You played and entertained us well.
You decide to quit, its your prerogative.
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Nov 04, 2015 12:14am
good and timely decision.
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Nov 04, 2015 12:17am
I think he knew that he will be dropped for future tests. He's just saving face. Totally inconsistent player. 14 yrs of career just 35 test matches.
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Nov 04, 2015 12:18am
@Sarah no problem with these players u named.. Don't know why u don't want fawad alam.. And we can add Sami aslam in the test matches or in short version as well..(to have good stable opening pairs). He along with Rizwan ,Harris, and imad wasim (the asset in all formats) will take time but they will develop ad a proper genuine player....
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Nov 04, 2015 01:31am
Applaud you for retiring with dignity. It would serve as good example.
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Nov 04, 2015 01:41am
Shoaib says he would focus on 2019 world cup: He didn't clarify whether as aspectator or commentator!
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Nov 04, 2015 01:55am
@Abc
East to West Fawad Alam is best
He has been discriminated from 10 years
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Nov 04, 2015 02:11am
Better be called as retired than dropped. Good decision.
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Nov 04, 2015 02:12am
@mani Younis retiring now? He won't. He has set his heart on 10K test runs and so will probably be around for another year or two. Rajan
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Nov 04, 2015 03:30am
Good decision.He should also retire from one day and 20'20s.But he was once regarded a better bowler than Saqlain Mushtaq I remember and above average batsman.Useful all rounder.Had he not dislodged 4 English batsmen on tuesday, pakistan would have been facing inings defeat by now.
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Nov 04, 2015 04:03am
@mani
With misbah and younis gone we will struggle to cross 250. Pakistan still needs experience in their middle order. Dont be ungrateful pricks. Thank you
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Nov 04, 2015 04:40am
I don't think this is going to change much. Sohaib Maqsood should come in the side.
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Nov 04, 2015 05:05am
Well before your recent recall you had all the time in the world. And after this test you would have been in the same position. Why not call a spade a spade?
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Nov 04, 2015 05:24am
Good luck damaad ji...enjoy your retirement.
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Nov 04, 2015 05:25am
He retired before the test is finished . . . . . that's silly
He was selected as an all rounder and still a lot of fielding and bowling left to do.
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Nov 04, 2015 05:53am
I respect Shoaib's decision. Even though i dont really like him as a player!
One thing however is pretty clear, you cannot perform well if you dont have a clear mind. Apparently quite a lot was bothering shoaib and that reflected in his performance ultimately culminating in yesterday's golden duck.
Just goes on to show, not just in cricket. If you need to achieve something, you need to have a clear mind and concentration.
Good luck Shoaib
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Nov 04, 2015 06:12am
Should have retired after the 1st. but then 'future is not ours to see'... still doing good as bowler thou. Good luck young man.
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Nov 04, 2015 06:15am
Shukar Khuda Ka - Selectors should have never brought him back in the first place. Thank you for doing us all a favour Shoaib.
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Nov 04, 2015 06:24am
Wise decision, best of luck. Shoib was never a great player. However he has done reasonably well in his comeback. I feel, he should also retire from 20 - 20 and play onedayers for some time. Yunis and Misbah should play only tests and they should quit other forms. Yunis and Misbah can bade goodbye to the test cricket after grooming youngsters for an year or two. If all the three quit at a stretch, there will surely be a vacuum.
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Nov 04, 2015 06:34am
Good luck
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Nov 04, 2015 07:13am
Sania you better be winning for the next few years
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Nov 04, 2015 07:16am
Shoaib Malik is a great player and a great gentleman. Respect his decision. Best of luck. It is time to have children.
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Nov 04, 2015 07:50am
Good Luck ! Enjoy family time.
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Nov 04, 2015 08:17am
Timely decision....Thanks and have a relaxed peaceful life..
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Nov 04, 2015 08:23am
His career was good until about now.
Good time to retire.
Thx Shoaib.
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Nov 04, 2015 09:01am
Good decision & really unselfishness showed, Malik is a good One Day/T20 Player but for Test we have players who actually deserve place in team more then him..similar situation wih Younis, one of the best test player PAK ever had but worst One Dayer, he should also confirm retirement from One Dayer..
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Nov 04, 2015 09:32am
Others have commented on Shoaib Malik's attributes (or not) as a player, and of course one should wish him well for the future. However, he was irresponsible to announce his retirement while a Test match in which he is a participant is in the balance. It shifts focus away from the job at hand, including his, when he may well have to match or exceed his laudable four-wicket haul in the first innings if Pakistan is to win. But will his head be in the right space? Also, his reasoning for retiring -- wanting to focus on family -- may be 100 per cent true, but citing such stuff in the immediate aftermath of being dismissed for a golden duck is, at least, poor timing, at worst, rings hollow.
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Nov 04, 2015 02:42pm
It is interesting that while Shoaib's career is breathing its last, Sania Mirza is breaking records in tennis doubles with Swiss Miss Hingis. Sania has clinched 8 titles this year alone, and is still going strong.
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Nov 04, 2015 03:31pm
when wife is earning so much in dollars , you don't need to work.
You can even go to India (sasuraal) and take up part time job of commentator.
or get Indian citizenship and Join IPL
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Nov 04, 2015 08:22pm
he wants to focus on the 2019 world cup instead of giving younger players a chance. What a selfish attitude.
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Nov 04, 2015 08:55pm
@optimist . I agree with optimist that Shoaib Malik was not used when he was in his prime form, he may be asked to take back his retirement and given the option to play selected test matches when available. He is emerging as the best all-rounder for Pakistan, he is also the best spin bowler after Yasir Shah at a time when there is a shortage of spin bowling in Pakistan.
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Nov 05, 2015 07:15pm
@Shahid This I did not know.But I always felt he had talent but he lacked the social skills to be at the top.
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Nov 05, 2015 07:59pm
@Jalim Shah
Your comment lacks decency.
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Nov 05, 2015 10:11pm
@apellbinder - I support this. Shoaib Malik should take back his retirement for the sake of Pakistan cricket. .
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