Izhaan and I are proud of you: Sania Mirza after Shoaib Malik’s ODI retirement

Pakistan crashed out of the 2019 World Cup after their 94-run victory against Bangladesh at the Lord’s in London. The Men in Green peaked in their last four games, winning all of them. Sarfaraz Ahmed and Co also levelled New Zealand on 11 points but fell short on net run-rate. Pretty much like the national team, even Shoaib Malik, the veteran all-rounder, didn’t have a great time in the mega event.

The Sialkot-born cricketer played three matches in which he scored only eight runs with a couple of ducks beside his name. Subsequently, he was sidelined from the Pakistan side and even the fans lashed out at him for hanging out at a sheesha place prior to the match versus arch-rivals India in Manchester. The supporters also pulled his wife Sania Mirza in the matter and slammed her.

Shoaib Malik bids adieu to ODI cricket

On Friday, the 37-year-old Malik hung his boots from the 50-overs format. Unfortunately, the experienced cricketer didn’t get to play a farewell match. After Pakistan’s thumping victory over Mashrafe Mortaza’s Tigers, Malik made the announcement of his retirement.

“Today I retire from One Day International cricket. Huge Thank you to all the players I have played with, coaches I have trained under, family, friends, media, and sponsors. Most importantly my fans, I love you all”, Malik’s tweet read.

In the meantime, Sania is a proud woman after her better-half served Pakistan for around 20 years. In his 287 matches, donning the national colours, Shoaib Malik scored 7534 runs at an average of 34.55. He notched nine centuries and 44 half-centuries. He also picked up 158 wickets in the format. Sania said that she along with Izhaan Mirza Malik, their son, who was born last year, are extremely proud of him.

Sania, also an Indian tennis star, took to Twitter and wrote, “‘Every story has an end, but in life every ending is a new beginning’ @realshoaibmalik u have proudly played for your country for 20 years and u continue to do so with so much honour and humility..Izhaan and I are so proud of everything you have achieved but also for who u r,”

Here is Sania’s tweet

‘Every story has an end, but in life every ending is a new beginning’ @realshoaibmalik ???? u have proudly played for your country for 20 years and u continue to do so with so much honour and humility..Izhaan and I are so proud of everything you have achieved but also for who u r❤️

— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) July 5, 2019