Re: is Shoaib Malik's game over??
Looking at his today's game he is definitely over
It will be good for him and the team if he plays some FC cricket to gain some form
Re: is Shoaib Malik's game over??
I disagree.
Malik on his best day, is a way better ODI and T20 player than Younis and Misbah for that matter.
When it comes to test cricket, Younis and Misbah are in a different class no doubt about it.
Champions trophy knock aside, Malik's best run as a player came when he was the Captain. Since Bufoon Butt removed him from the Captaincy, Malik has not been the same player - lots of in and outs from the team have obviously played their role in his lack of confidence.
However, as I said - he deserves to be in the ODI and T20 team, and he is just an innings away from regaining his form and confidence, because he has always had the ability in the short form of the game, haters can hate, but his record is as good as anyone else in the Pakistani side today. None of them are Saeed Anwar's or Inzamam's - all of the current crop hang around in the mid-30s with their averages these days, and so does Malik.
I agree with ManiaX. He is just going through a rough patch. An in form Malik has a lot to offer to LOI squads. But he needs to sit out a few games and be a squad player again rather than playing in place of talented and upcoming players like Shafiq. I am sure Malik will regain his touch soon but he does have lots of competition for places.
Re: is Shoaib Malik's game over??
^ Its not just a rough patch, but exteeeeeeeeeeeeended rough patch
he has taken 2 wickets in today's game though (so far) so hopefully that will contribute to his confidence.
Re: is Shoaib Malik's game over??
^ Its not just a rough patch, but exteeeeeeeeeeeeended rough patch
he has taken 2 wickets in today's game though (so far) so hopefully that will contribute to his confidence.
Make is three
Re: is Shoaib Malik's game over??
Malik has 7 ODI 100s compared to Misbah's grand total of Zero. 5 of Malik's ODI 100s have resulted in Pakistan winning the match.
He can be a match winner. However, at present his confidence is low, he should be encouraged and in fact should be opening because almost all his 100s have come at the top of the order.
Its not a very smart move to put a player low on confidence in the middle order, on slow tracks facing spinners - when the player himself is more comfortable going up the order.
Having 7 100s is good but if your average still falls to 33 than it means you sucked in innings other than 100s, shows unreliability of his batting skills IMO, its like Afridi's innings when he plays he will throw everyone out of park but when he fails he can't even 'block'.
Re: is Shoaib Malik's game over??
I agree with ManiaX. He is just going through a rough patch. An in form Malik has a lot to offer to LOI squads. But he needs to sit out a few games and be a squad player again rather than playing in place of talented and upcoming players like Shafiq. I am sure Malik will regain his touch soon but he does have lots of competition for places.
yes i agree with seb and mania...malik is only 30 with so much ODI experience...if he stays out of politics which I am sure he will after suffering so much in last few years, he can still contribute to ODI team.... he is a genuine all-rounder (excellent fielder) and needs one good innings to get his confidence back. His form is not bad as he was scoring so many runs in first class in last 12 months.....he is simply going through a tough psychological phase after failing to score runs upon his return to the international cricket. Do not give up on Malik yet...Misbah and younis wil be gone in next 12 months or so from ODIs for sure...yoyo is already gone...we will have no senior player except afridi and malik could be an asset. GO MALIK!
AND PLEASE STOP TALKING BAD ABOUT SANIA. Sania is his wife and we should give her respect...none of us would appreciate people talking about our wives...i mean we are talking about malik the cricketer...it has nothing to do with his wife....understood that this couple has a public profile and people will always be interested in their personal lives but to talk about sania while discussing malik's cricket makes no sense...
Re: is Shoaib Malik’s game over??
His dinner with Zoordari and Mujtaba Gailani is the only reason for his inclusion in team 
Re: is Shoaib Malik's game over??
If guys like Taufeeq Umer and Imran Farhat can be given chance after chance, I dont see why Shoaib cant get some consistent playing time in order to improve his confidence. Lets not forget that we have done the same with Shahid Afridi. Afridi is a dud with the bat, and he was brought in repeatedly, just because of 'hidden' batting talent, until he eventually became a better bowler, which ended up taking the focus away from his batting. Now he is just a full time bowler, who can occasionally hit.