Shoaib Malik gives quirky replies during the interview with Waqar Younis and Ramiz Raja

Senior Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik guided his team home in the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka to give an unassailable lead of 4-0 to Pakistan. The middle-order batsman has been enjoying his purple patch at the moment, with a blistering knock of 69 runs from 81 balls to lead his side home.

The right-handed batsman was seen very jovial at the end of the match when former Pakistan greats Ramiz Raja and Waqar Younis questioned him on the various aspects of the series in a video posted by PTV Sports. Malik gave the duo a set of quirky replies whenever they asked him about his form and his role in the side.

The opener:

Ramiz Raja opened the questions with a one of his own, where he asked Malik whether it was easy to bat in a low-scoring game as in the fourth ODI.

Malik replied, ‘It is not always dangerous to bat in a low-scoring game. If my batting comes within the team’s 50 runs then it is a pressure situation, but if the team score is well over 100 when chasing 170 it becomes easy for us.’

Then, Malik talked about the pressure of delivering consistent performances for the country, despite the tally of 190 matches across your name. ‘The self-satisfaction that I get from consistent performances motivates me,’ said the right-hander.

Media’s role:

Malik talked about the pressure applied from the media side if a player fails to turn up good on the pitch. However, it is important for the batsman to play his natural game despite media’s pressure.

Ramiz Raja asked the right-hander, on his six-hitting ability to which he replied ‘Sixes are not hit by strength but by on the pure basis of timing while talking about the other cricketer’s muscle power takes the ball out of the stadium.’

Malik later complimented his bat, saying that the huge six in the fourth ODI was only due to his bat (laughs). While the duo compliment Malik on the shot, Malik laughs it off by saying that it is the bat’s magic.

Sania Mirza’s role in his life:

Jokingly, the Pakistani batsman admitted that he fears his wife Sania Mirza, and his weight balance is very often a result of that while also commending the amount of work Sania puts on him.

Ramiz asked the all-rounder if he is playing the game for his love of the game, or for the money, to which Malik replies ‘This interview looks like the one before they give us the American Visa, before telling that his passion for the game is making him play stronger’.

Malik later recalls the role of Waqar in his life, with the latter giving him the chance to play at no.4 for Pakistan, where he made hundreds in his first few matches. Ramiz Raja, asked him one last question before the end of the interview, where he asked him about his off-spin.

Malik replied, “Hafeez’s bowling is good enough for the team, and about the change of actions, yes it is a little difficult, but you have to get used to such situations in International cricket.”

Watch it here: