Malik announces shock Test retirement
Pakistan veteran batsman Shoaib Malik has made a shock announcement to say that he is retiring from Test cricket after the current match against England in Sharjah, and will conserve his energy for the shorter formats.
Malik made his return to the Test side in this series after five years on the sidelines, and he made a blistering return in Abu Dhabi, scoring a double century. He made his announcement after day three's play, to the surprise of his team-mates.
The 33-year-old said at an impromptu press conference appearance: "I am taking retirement from Test cricket and this is my last Test."
I would like to thank my family, cricket board, my team-mates and my supporting staff as they have supported me all the way along. I think it's the right time to quit this format and I want to focus on the upcoming 2019 World Cup.
"Cricket is my passion, has always been, and I might keep on playing first-class cricket, but the main reasons I am retiring are because of my family, and to allow youngsters [in the Test team] to be groomed.
"Now is the time, amid the settled line-up, we can easily fit them in without any hitch. Since I haven't played many 50-overs World Cups, I want to play [in England] and I am looking ahead to get ready by quitting Test cricket so I can save my energy."
He added of his recent experiences: "I am disappointed that I didn't play Test cricket in the last five years and those were the years I wanted to play.
"But that is part of life and you move on. Now I can see many youngsters knocking at the door and it's the best time to allow them to get adjusted.
"It was tough to take a call as I could have played for another two years. But Test cricket is probably the toughest format, and we have a settled line-up.
"Representing Pakistan is a biggest honour but I have been thinking about [retirement] for a while. It was somewhere in my mind even before the double hundred [in Abu Dhabi] but, at the moment, my satisfaction is to walk away from this format.
"My fitness is fine but I think we have to step aside to allow youngsters to take over."
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.