Former Pakistan National Cricket Team captain Shoaib Malik has made a sensational revelation on rejecting a massive offer from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) a few months back.
The 42-year-old Malik was one of the longest-serving members of the Pakistan National Cricket Team as he plied trade for the side across three formats from 1999 to 2021.
Overall, Shoaib Malik played 446 international matches for Pakistan and scored 11867 runs at an average of 33.90. With the ball, he bagged 218 international wickets at an average of 38.46, an economy of 4.47, and a strike rate of 51.5.
Looking at the experience Shoaib Malik brings to the table, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently appointed him as the mentor of the Stallions, which is one of the teams participating in the Champions One-Day Cup.
Other than Malik, the PCB has roped in Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Waqar Younis for the role of mentor. The tournament, which will feature the Dolphins, Lions, Panthers, Stallions, and Wolves – is set to be played from September 12 to 29 at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.
However, according to Shoaib, this isn’t the first time PCB offered him a top job as ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, they approached him to become one of the selectors of the national team.
Speaking at a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Shoaib Malik revealed that he rejected PCB’s ‘nonsense’ offer to become a selector. He elaborated:
“I got an offer before the 2024 T20 World Cup. There was no chief selector then and the entire committee had the same power. Yes, I got the offer. However, I am still playing some cricket. How can I select the cricketers with whom I am playing currently? It does not make sense to me that you are playing as well and are part of the selection committee too.”
I think I can still play at the domestic level. That way, I can share my experience in a better way – Shoaib Malik
Shoaib Malik further said that he still wants to play domestic cricket for Pakistan as that is a better way for him to help the young players. He said:
“I currently play just one format, and I will surely play in the domestic T20 competition. I think I can still play at the domestic level. That way, I can share my experience in a better way with the players.”
Shoaib Malik also made it very clear that he has no intentions to become part of the Pakistan National Cricket Team at the age of 42.
“I have already said that I am not interested in playing for Pakistan. I have already retired from Tests and ODIs. I have no interest in being part of Pakistan’s T20I team. Yes, I will continue playing at the domestic level.
“There are a few places where I still go and play, but I have already communicated to some leagues that I won’t be available. Regarding my retirement, I will leave it all at once.”