'Shoaib Malik kyun yaad aata hai?' - Shahid Afridi reveals the real reason behind recalling the batter ahead of the 20-20 World Cup

Pakistan will kick off the upcoming 20-20 World Cup in Australia by facing arch-rivals India on 23 October 2022. However, they are coming off after a T20I tri-series victory over New Zealand and Bangladesh in New Zealand. After losing the home T20I series against England, this tri-series win will boost their confidence ahead of the World Cup.

However, Babar Azam will still be worried about his middle-order batters’ form in the upcoming event. Seeing their form, fans urged the Board to recall veteran batter, Shoaib Malik for the World Cup. However, he did not make a cut for the World Cup squad. Now, former skipper, Shahid Afridi opened up about the real reason behind recalling the batter.

“Vo perform nahi kar paate toh puraane yaad aane lagte hain.” - Shahid Afridi on Shoaib Malik

Speaking on Samaa TV, Shahid Afridi said that Pakistan give chances to young players. But, they do not perform and then, fans recall old players. He said: “Ham naye ladke ko chance dete hain. Vo perform nahi kar paate toh puraane yaad aane lagte hain. Logon ko Shoaib Malik kyun yaad aata hai? Isliye kyunki koi perform nahi kar raha hota aur fir vo hi hamein achha lag raha hota hai. (We give chances to new people, and when they don't perform, we start remembering the old ones. Why are people remembering Shoaib Malik? It's because the newer guys aren't performing),”

“Mere baare me logon ki rai thi ki Lala aap abhi bhi khel sakte hain. Par main bol deta hu ki bas, ho gaya hai. (People also tell me that I can still play for Pakistan. But for me, that chapter is over),” Shahid Afridi added. However, while speaking to Samaa TV, Shoaib Malik opened up about his snub from the World Cup squad.

“Dekhiye mera kaam hain cricket khelna jaha pe bhi mujhe opportunity mile. Select karna, na karna woh team management, selection committee ya PCB ka hain. Mera hain ki jaha opportunity mile main woh avail karne ki koshish karu and acha perform karne ki koshish karu. Mujhe kisise koi problem nehi hain. Main kisike koi against nehi hu kyunki positive rehna has been a major reason behind the success in my career,” Shoaib Malik concluded.