Shoaib Malik is one of the Pakistan's best all-rounders. As such, many Pakistan supporters have high expectations that he’ll be selected in the World Cup squad next year. In this interview, Shoaib is optimistic that he’ll be selected for the squad. He is satisfied with his ODI performances, so far and is hopeful of selection in the World Cup and future tournaments.

Shoaib Malik was born on February 1st, 1982. He started playing cricket in the Gujranwala division. He is an all-rounder, right-handed batsman and bowls off-spin. He has played 15 Tests and 117 ODI matches in his international career. His batting average in ODIs is 33.84 and has 95 wickets. In Test matches, his average with the bat is 39.89 and has 13 victims with the ball.

Shoaib was keen on cricket from early childhood and started with the Pioneer Club.
“Former Pakistani opener Amir Sohail guided me very well. He advised me to play a trial match for Under-15s. Prior to this, I had participated in a kids camp under former Pakistan captain Imran Khan, so I performed in the trial with full confidence and was selected.”

After that, Shoaib played for Saga Sports and later played for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) where he currently plays domestic cricket. “Recently, Saga Sports awarded me a gold crown for my performance in the Pakistan team”, he said.

Talking about his future, Shoaib Malik said, “I want to play cricket for Pakistan for a very long period. I’m one of the lucky players who realized their international ambitions early, but I’m still working hard to become the perfect player. If I’m dropped from the team, I know it’s only temporary because I concentrate hard to improve my performances. Currently, I’m in good form.”

“My dream is to become the best all-rounder of the world like my favourite player, Jacques Kallis, who I admire very much. I receive a lot of guidance from senior players and former players like Saqlain, Wasim and Waqar. They give me tips for playing well.”

On Friendship, Shoaib counts Abdul Razzaq, Imran Nazir and Shoaib Akhter as his best friends. “We always enjoy each others company when we are together”, he said.

Shoaib is married and his wife is in India. “My marriage is 100 % according to my parents agreement”, he said.

Shoaib was reported for a suspect action in November 2005. He has since undergone surgery to his right elbow that was damaged in a road accident in 2003, but due to busy playing schedules, he has been unable to find time to have the problem seen to. The ICC has now cleared him to bowl again for Pakistan and is looking forward to playing in England in late June.

We also asked him about PCB chairman, Shaharyar Khan. “He loves cricket. He accepts every difficulty as a challenge and tries his best to overcome the obstacles and achieve his goals. Many players got the chance to play for Pakistan due to his hard work. He gave cricket a new spirit, he’s not afraid of taking risks - that’s why he is the best Chairman of PCB and all officials are also very happy with his work. He has done a great job for development of cricket in Pakistan, which will be very useful in the future. He collected the real talent from Pakistan and made them ready to face the challenges in cricket and to become a good cricket team.”

__________________
Cricket is best game in the WORLD.