However, a solid show on the domestic circuit, including a triumphant Super Eight T20 Cup campaign has not only helped regain the selectors’ trust but also attract county cricket offers.
Malik was dropped from the national team after repeated failures but he bounced back strongly, bagging the man-of-the-tournament award while leading PIA to the National One-Day Cup – scoring 353 runs while taking 14 wickets – and scored a useful half-century in the final of the Twenty20 event.
“The coach and the selectors are very impressed by Malik’s show,” an official close to the team management told The Express Tribune. “Malik’s experience is an added advantage and he’s likely to make a comeback.”
Meanwhile, Malik has also attracted Hampshire and Essex’s interest for their domestic Twenty20 event. Nothing, however, has been confirmed as the negotiations go on.
‘Not looking beyond comeback’
Malik, while refusing to comment on the county offers, said he was eyeing a comeback.
“Making a comeback is my priority,” said Malik. “I’ll keep on working hard in order to achieve that. I’ve made myself available for selection and will only opt for other opportunities according to the team’s schedule.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 4th, 2012.
COMMENTS (30)
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Malik's 'resolute efforts to win back his place in the National after he was dropped for the Asia Cup Tournament,is admirable".Never say die" attitude is paying him dividends.He is set to come back to the Team following a creditable performance in the domestic circle.With Whatmore at hand to guide him.Shohaib Malik will live up to the expectation and will be a lynch pin in the Pakistan batting line up..
Malik has had his time in the team I would say we need to bring young talent into the team.Can someone tell me why a young player like Anwar Ali has still not been given an opportunity in the team. He has a lot of potential and should be given the opportunity.
Good Luck Malik, Please just stay away from ur politics. Play and let everyone play !!!
What unity? There never was unity; not in the cricket team and not in this nation (ref. East Pakistan and now Balouchistan). Fact is that Malik is a serious contender for the shorter form of the game. All rounders are a necessity.
what did he do to break the unity in the team? can someone provide some background?
well done Malik, you shut the critics by performing
only good enough for T20s
Please Please, we had seen enough if Shoib Malik over the last decade. He is just another bits and pieces player who does well at the domestic circuits but does not have much to show at the international level. It's time for Pakistan to move on and groom new players.
People who are blaming Malik for differences are ignorant. When he was captain of Pak in 2007-08, our team had a great winning records , the only black sheep was M Yosuf who couldn't see a junior becoming a captain of the side prior to him.
Domestic and international are different ball games. He always performs well in domestic matches. I do not how many remember Rizwan uz Zamman and Mansoor Akhtar. They were Kings of domestic but a complete failure when it comes to international matches. We should be looking at new talent giving Hammad Azam, Raza Hassan and likes the opportunity.
He uses his clout to be in the team. He should be dropped forever
Most people will always remmember him as a 'termite' in the team. Now, if a termite is showing some form in domestics, would you allow him on the national team? I don't have a problem with him being in the team again but we all know what would happen!
performing only in domestic is not a gurantee of comeback, he usally performs well in doemstic in international he suffers always. i feel pcb should really not take him right now. let him go play county whatever, dnt get him in team disturbs the balance
It is right way to come in team . Play domestic , get back your form and perform in domestic cricket . Now your are good choice for T20 . Your first action to get " parchi " and enter in team not good for u and team because that time your were out of form .
Do not use recycled lot. Induct new blood in Pakistan team. Performing on batting paradise against mediocre bowling is another thing and performing against quality bowling and pressure of international cricket is different ball game. I think we had enough of him and it is now time to say goodbye to Shoaib type cricketers.
Shoaib may have fooled PCB, may have fooled Sania Mirza, may have fooled the gullible portion of the 'awaam', but most people know his ways and hence don't want him to represent Pakistan. We all say NO to Malik!
Go play county cricket Malik. become an international globe trotter like Azhar Mahmood and Rana Naveed but please please leave the Pakistan team alone. Half the friction over the years has been caused by you.
@boy .. Whats IPL ?
A domestic bully, previously he was selected for national team after scoring tons of runs in domestic and we know what happened. See his last 30 International innings he hardly scores runs. A "parchi" of MR Firdous Ashiq Awan SAHAB
Ohhh... he shudnt be back in the teammmm... hez already tested and given chance alot, and has repeatedly failed to deliver.
Are all the youngsters who performed brilliantly in this tournament dead, to consider bringing this old failed player back to the team?? They shud be given a chance instead!
I think Pakistan should focus on new talent like Asad Shafiq and Azher Ali ... rather then such players who are responsible for the whole mess
Here comes anti unity, groupie, planner, destabalizer... why cant we just get on with the young lot , why bring oldies again and again...
@bhai: Yes Malik go running to 'Heaven Lover' Awan and spawn of Gilani to get u back in the team.
No place for Malik. He is history not the future.
Similar situation, in last edition of Super 8 T20 he performed well and got selected but he wasted his opportunity. Now it tough to get back in the team because it seems House is Full now.
now its IPL time. hurraayyyyy!!!!!!!!!
agreed @ Ch. Allah Daad. Perhaps, Dev Watmore doesn't know this guy's real talent of messing around with people. He has won the local T20 6 times in the past but what did he do for the National team during that time? Nothing but creating differences & sabotaging the team's unity.
Where those jokers who were bad mouthing Misbah and Malik? Malik has proven to be the best t20 captain for almost sever years in a year and beat all those supposedly better players then him fair and sqaure in the domestic circuit.
Keep him away from team. Unity and loyality is more important.
good to see you back in form malik...now get yourself selected and perform for Pakistan...good luck!