"I am open to play, but clarity is needed" - Shoaib Malik says he is ready to play the 2024 T20 World Cup for Pakistan
Veteran Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik has confirmed that he has no plans to retire anytime soon. He also expressed his desire to surpass Chirs Gayle and become the highest run-scorer in T20 cricket.
Malik further said he is available for selection for the 2024 T20 World Cup, but that he wasn't playing cricket just to make it to Pakistan's squad for the showpiece event. Instead, he said he was doing so because he continues to enjoy it.
"My goal is to score around 2000 runs to go past Chris Gayle to become the best player in T20 cricket," Malik said during a recent media interaction. "I am open to play, but clarity is needed. I am not playing cricket to represent Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup. I play the game because I enjoy it. There is no problem of fitness."
Shoaib Malik is the second-highest run-getter in T20 cricket, having chalked up 12,688 runs from 515 matches at an average of 36.25. While his last appearance in international cricket came in November 2021, he has continued to ply trade in franchise-based T20 leagues across the world.
"Afghanistan played better cricket than us" - Shoaib Malik on Pakistan's dismal 2023 World Cup campaign
The Babar Azam-led Pakistani side performed well below expectations at the ongoing 2023 World Cup, failing to make the cut for the semi-finals.
With just four wins from nine games, Pakistan finished fifth in the points table. Assessing the team's performance, Shoaib Malik opined that Afghanistan played better cricket than the Men in Green this World Cup.
During a discussion on A Sports, Malik remarked:
"Afghanistan played better cricket than us. In my opinion, if we are just sticking with this World Cup then yes Afghanistan have played better cricket than us."
It is worth mentioning that Afghanistan secured a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Pakistan in the 2023 World Cup. They successfully chased down a 283-run target with one over to spare.