13 facts about Shoaib Malik: An extraordinary all-rounder

Shoaib Malik started out as an off spinner and later upgraded his batting skills to become an all-rounder. He is regarded as a flexible player and performed various roles including opening the innings, batting in the middle order and coming in as a number 11. He is capable of hitting big shots and is also capable of rotating the strike with good placement. He adapts according to the teams needs which is a very rare quality players possess. Late Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer once stated for Malik that he is the sharpest tactical tack among his group and a real presence on the field.

1.Born on:

Shoaib Malik was born on 1st February, 1982 in Sialkot, Punjab.

2. Early life:

Shoaib Malik first played tape-ball cricket in the streets as a child and was more inclined towards the game than studies. This used to get him into trouble with his family as they wanted him to focus on his education.

3. Early cricketing life:

Malik began playing cricket seriously in 1993/94 after he attended Imran Khan’s coaching clinics in Sialkot. In 1996, Malik attended trials for the U-15 World Cup and was selected in the squad as a bowler.

4. International debut:

Malik made his debut for Pakistan in 1999 against West Indies at Sharjah. Later, he earned his Test debut against Bangladesh at Multan on August 29, 2001. In both of these matches Malik played mainly as a bowler

5. Trouble over bowling action:

In his early days, Malik was famous for his off spin action, which resembled another Pakistani legend Saqlain Mushtaq. However, the same action caused problems in 2004 when he was reported for a suspect action. It took eight months later for his action to be cleared.

6. Skipper of the national team:

After Pakistan’s disastrous World Cup campaign in 2007, Shoaib Malik became a front runner for the captain’s post following Inzamam Ul Haq’s retirement. With Younis Khan rejecting the offer, Malik was given the chance to lead Pakistan in both the Test and ODI squads.

7. Controversy:

In March, 2010, Malik was handed a one-year ban by the PCB for causing infighting within the team in the Australian tour. However, his ban was overturned and he returned to the side in the Asia Cup in June.

8. Retirement:

Malik retired from Test cricket in 2015 to concentrate on ODIs as he aims to play 2019 World Cup.

9. Not a memorable farewell:

In his last Test innings, the stylish all-rounder got out for a golden duck against England at Sharjah. The same series he scored a double hundred (245). This remains his career best score.

10. Personal life:

On 12 April 2010, Malik married Indian tennis player Sania Mirza in an Islamic wedding ceremony at the Taj Krishna Hotel in Hyderabad. Their Walima ceremony was held in Lahore, Pakistan. Their romance hogged the news headline all over the subcontinent

11. A unique player:

Shoaib Malik is one of the four players to have played on all ten batting positions for a team in the entire history of recorded Cricket. The other names include Lance Klusener of South Africa, former teammate Abdur Razzaq and Sri Lanka’s Hashan Tillakaratne.

12. Domestic cricket:

Shoaib Malik is captain of the Sialkot Stallions. He has led them to a record 8 domestic T20 titles with the most recent coming on 18 May 2015.

13. Foray into T20 leagues:

Malik has played for the Hobart Hurricanes in the 2013/14 Big Bash League. He also signed up for Warwickshire in March 2014 and will play for them in the domestic T20 competition. Malik is also part of Karachi Kings team of the yet to commence Pakistan Super League and will play as the Captain of the side.