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'Yeh toh afridi ka baap nikla' - Fans react as Shoaib Malik confirms his availability to play T20Is for Pakistan

Shoaib Malik has expressed his willingness to continue playing for Pakistan in the T20 format after his scintillating knock in LPL 2023.

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Shoaib Malik

Shoaib Malik (Source: Twitter)

Veteran Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik has expressed his willingness to continue playing for the national team in the T20 format. The statement came after his sensational knock for Jaffna Kings against Dambulla Aura in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 on Monday, August 7. Malik, who has been out of Pakistan's T20I setup since 2021, proved that he has not lost his power-hitting skills at the age of 41.

While confirming his availability, the former Pakistan captain also mentioned that he was dropped from the shortest format even after performing well. It is noteworthy that the fastest fifty by a Pakistani batter in T20 World Cup is in Malik's name - an 18-ball hal-century against Scotland in 2021 WC.

Ready to return to the T20 team if they call me: Malik 

The batting all-rounder, who retired from Tests in 2015 and ODIs in 2019, has however stated that he has no plans to return to those two formats. Although he is fit and enjoys playing for Pakistan, he has made it clear that he does not expect anything from the Pakistan Cricket Board, selectors, or captain Babar Azam.

"When I was dropped from the Pakistan team, my performances and stats were very good. I have retired from Tests and ODI and I have no plans of making a comeback in those formats. However, I am ready to return to the T20 team if they call me. But I don't expect anything from the captain, the selectors, or the PCB. I have zero expectations from anyone. I am fit and will continue as long as I enjoy playing," Malik said during an interview on paktv.tv.

The Punjab-born cricketer last played a T20I for Pakistan in November 2021. In Match 11 of LPL 2023, the Kings star shined with both bat and ball at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. He conceded just 13 runs in his four overs and picked up two crucial wickets to restrict Aura to 134-8 in 20 overs. However, barring Malik's stunning knock (74* off 53 balls with 5 fours and 6 sixes), none of the other batters stepped up, resulting in Aura winning by 9 runs.

Here's how fans reacted to Shoaib Malik confirming his availability to play T20Is: 

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