Veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik claims that Pakistan captain Babar Azam made it clear to him during the Asia Cup that he will not be considered for the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022. When the 15-member roster was named, Malik was overlooked by the Pakistani selection committee in favour of players like Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Haider Ali, etc. At the same time, the former captain made it clear that he has no animosity toward Babar because the latter is to him like his younger brother. He continued by saying that he always wants to see Babar and the Pakistani team succeed.
“I am unaware of the inside news but Babar Azam told me that the Asia Cup squad will travel to the T20 World Cup. He was communicating from his side and we are on good terms as he is a little brother,” said Shoaib Malik while speaking to Cricket Pakistan. “I will always be there for Babar to guide him regarding his game or anything. I am not a person who will stay unhappy and won’t talk just because I am not selected for the Pakistan team. My prayers are with him and I always wish to see him grow more. I want to see Babar and Pakistan team at the top,” he added.
The 40-year-old also clarified his offensive tweet against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from after the Men in Green’s loss to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final in September of this year, in which he accused the cricket board of using internal politics and favouritism to choose its team rather than choosing players based on merit. “I have already clarified and those who think my selection was based on the tweet, are totally wrong. The tweet came afterwards when I knew that the Asia Cup squad will play at the World Cup. It was not against anyone and was totally based on what I saw,” Malik said.
