Former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik officially announced his retirement from ODI cricket after his side knocked out of the ICC World Cup 2019 with a 94-run win against Bangladesh at Lord’s on Friday.
The 37-year-old had said last year that he will retire from ODIs after the World Cup in England and Wales.
In his long and illustrious career, Malik has represented Pakistan in 35 Tests, 287 ODIs and 111 T20Is. He has been the most successful in 50-over format having scored 7543 runs and bagged 158 wickets.
As far as the ongoing World Cup is concerned, it wasn’t the most successful outing for him as he just managed to score eight runs in three innings.
On Friday, during Pakistan’s league fixture, Malik wasn’t picked in the playing XI but came on to the ground as a substitute fielder.
After the match was over, Malik was given a ‘Guard of Honour’ by his teammates.
✅ Hugs galore
✅ Guard of honour
✅ Plenty of applausePakistan gave Shoaib Malik a fitting send-off as he retired from ODI cricket 👏#CWC19 pic.twitter.com/ESA4q1sLUM
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) July 5, 2019
“I am retiring from ODI cricket. I had made this decision a few years ago, that I would retire after Pakistan’s last World Cup match,” Malik told the reporters after the match.
“I am sad to be leaving a format I once loved but I am happy that I will now get to spend more time with my family. This will also allow me to focus on T20s,” he added.
Mainstay of Pakistan team's ODI middle order 🇵🇰
Former captain ⭐️
7️⃣5️⃣3️⃣4️⃣ runs
9️⃣ centuries
1️⃣5️⃣8️⃣ wickets
9️⃣8️⃣ catches
One wonderful career 👏🏼
Thank you @realshoaibmalik!#ThankYouMalik #MightyMalik #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/TWiX1hlhDI— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 6, 2019
