Srinagar: Pakistan former cricket team captain Shoaib Malik has revealed the conversation between him and Pakistan current skipper Babar Azam revolving around Malik’s career.
Speaking in an interview with Cricket Pakistan on YouTube, Shoaib Malik revealed that he does have the occasional with Babar.
“He asked me if I want to continue playing or take retirement during the last world cup, to which I said that I don’t want to play anymore due to the recent turn of events,” Malik said in the interview.
“However, I told Babar that if he wants me to play, then I will play. I have always been available for Pakistan and I still am,” Malik added.
“I then asked Babar to tell me if I should take part in selected series or selected matches and communicate the same to me. He then told me ‘ok you can play and I’ll tell you accordingly’,” he further added.
Malik, who hasn’t been picked for T20 World Cup 2022, last played for Pakistan in November 2021.
Meanwhile in an interview another former cricketer of Pakistan Mohammad Hafeez had said that he had asked Malik to retire as he knew he wouldn’t get the respect that he deserves.
“Malik gave his best to Pakistan for about 21-22 years and maintaining your fitness standards for that long is absolutely remarkable,” Hafeez was quoted as saying to Cricket Pakistan.
“When I took my retirement, I told Malik to take retirement as well because I knew that he will not be respected as it was also evident in my case. My understanding was that he wanted one last standing but cricket is cruel like this,” he said.