Harsha Bhogle feels Shoaib Malik's presence in the middle calms down the proceedings

Former world champions Pakistan are having one of their most ordinary Asia Cups this year despite the fact that it is being played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Pounded twice by the arch-rivals India and almost beaten by Afghanistan once, Sarfraz Ahmed’s side is also struggling hard against Bangladesh in the virtual semi-final and the team will have to face a lot of off-field criticism to take for sure once they go back home without the trophy.

Amid Pakistan’s batting ruins, stood Shoaib Malik

However, amid the ruins, one player stood tall in the Pakistani side and he is Shoaib Malik. He held together his side’s fragile-looking batting order whenever there was a need and stayed till the end to give Pakistan a much-needed victory against Afghanistan in the Super Four stage. On both occasions against India, Malik – the only player to have hit a couple of centuries in India-Pakistan games in Asia Cup – showed some substance with the bat.

He was seen resurrecting the Pakistani innings by adding 82 runs with Babar Azam for the third wicket in the first game and 107 runs with skipper Sarfraz Ahmed for the fourth wicket in the second game. In both games, it was his dismissal that saw India taking the game under their control.

Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle appreciated Malik’s performance in the tournament so far (211 runs in five matches at an average of 70.33; two fifties) saying he isn’t just Pakistan’s “best batsman” but also the “calmest” and perhaps he is the best because he is the “calmest”.

He isn't just Pakistan's best batsman, he is also the calmest. Maybe that's why. #ShoaibMalik

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 26, 2018

The 36-year-old Malik has played 271 ODIs so far since 1999, scoring 7,226 runs at an average of the mid-30s with nine centuries and 43 fifties. The off-break bowler has also taken 156 wickets in the 50-overs format although he went without any scalp in this tournament. He has been no less a bat in the Tests as he has scored 1,898 runs in 35 matches with the highest score of 245. The veteran also has 32 wickets in the longer version. He has also represented his country in 103 T20Is, scoring of 2,100 runs and took 28 wickets.

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