March 29, 2024

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Shoaib Malik repays faith with match-winning hundred against Zimbabwe

Shoaib Malik repays faith with match-winning hundred against Zimbabwe

Shoaib Malik taking a run during his match-winning innings. Image: PCB
Shoaib Malik taking a run during his match-winning innings. Image: PCB

Coming into the series Shoaib Malik had no big innings under the belt to support his selection into the national squad. He did play a couple of decent innings in the domestic circuit, but nothing concrete that would make him a strong contender for a national call.

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis, however, had faith in the stylish right-hander, despite his failures in the T20s and roped him in the squad for Zimbabwe tour. Malik grabbed the opportunity with both hands to make a scorching hundred at Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium.

“These are the performances that extend your career,” Malik said after the match. “I needed that and it came with a lot of backing from the team management.”

“Before coming into the series I was playing in Faisalabad in domestic T20 where I played couple of good innings and that actually gave me the flow and confidence. Now I would like to keep it going and be consistent with my form.”

“There has been an obvious disappointment but as a profession you always look for opportunity and you have to perform to get their attention.”

“At the end of the day, it’s selectors’ prerogative to pick me or not as it’s up to them to pick whatever they require fitting in for their combination. Everyone set goals for themselves … I have some plans to contribute as a team and individually comes later.”

Riding on Malik’s flowing hundred and heavy contributions from Mohammed Hafeez, Azhar Ali and Harris Sohail, Pakistan managed to post a mammoth 376-run target on a batting paradise.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, didn’t go down fighting and posted 334 in reply, to lose the encounter narrowly by 41 runs. Wahab Riaz made the difference with the ball and picked up three crucial wickets to drift the match in favour of Pakistan.

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