Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net from Sialkot; PIA all rounder Malik explained that he was delighted to be back in the reckoning for international selection and that his form and performances in domestic cricket had been good enough for a recall.

by Saj Sadiq (21st August 2011)

To label former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik's previous 12 months as horrendous, would be an understatement in itself. 

Shoaib made his last appearance in Pakistan colours just over a year ago when he made an aggregate of 6 runs at Edgbaston in a crushing 9 wicket defeat.

Subsequently dropped from the national side in all formats, things were to get worse for Malik as he was unable to obtain clearance from the PCB Integrity Committee due to alleged deposits in his overseas bank account resulting in him missing several series as well as the World Cup earlier this year.

On Friday though the world finally seemed to be a better place for Malik as the PCB announced Malik's clearance after he was able to provide evidence that the deposits did not emanate from any questionable source or activity. 

Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net from Sialkot; PIA all rounder Malik explained that he was delighted to be back in the reckoning for international selection and that his form and performances in domestic cricket had been good enough for a recall.

"I was in very good form during the World Cup. I was in prime form through the domestic season, scoring nearly 800 runs at an average of nearly 90 for Pakistan International Airlines in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and I took regular wickets too. Of course I was disappointed to miss out on World Cup selection, as it has been my dream to win the 50 over World Cup."

Malik explained that he believes his mental toughness had helped him through such a difficult time in his life and that he was helped though the difficult phase by his wife and international tennis player, Sania Mirza Malik.

"Ups and downs are part of life. You have to be mentally strong enough to handle all the things and situations that come your way. My wife Sania has helped me a lot. She's been playing international tennis for the past 10 to 12 years and the advice she gave me from her experiences in the highs and lows of her tennis career, was invaluable. She's a great life partner and her support has been brilliant."

Whilst the past 12 months will be difficult to forget, Malik feels that the bad times are in the past and that he has plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks, months and years.

"No doubt about it, the past 12 months since the tour of England have been very tough. However the bad times came and they have gone. Now I just want to concentrate on my cricket and do well for my country and see them in the top 3 rankings in all formats of the game. If you are in the right then you have to wait for your time. I was just waiting for my time and waiting for my clearance. Rather than making rash statements in the media, I felt it was best for me to wait for the clearance and then let my cricket do the talking when I am cleared. The field of play is the best place for cricketers like myself to show what they are capable of." 

Malik who will turn 30 next February feels that he has a lot of cricket left in the tank and despite not being selected he has continued to prepare himself physically and mentally for his return 

"I feel that I can play cricket for another 6 to 8 years. I just want to play good cricket and despite not being selected for Pakistan I have been training hard practising with intensity and playing cricket anywhere in the world where I possibly could, for example in Bangladesh. I want to show the world that I am still a good cricketer and that I have what it takes to play and do well at the highest level."

A year out of any cricketer's life is a long time and Malik has missed a number of matches for Pakistan including the premier one-day tournament, the World Cup. Malik though feels that he is now approaching the prime years of his cricketing life and that his best days are ahead of him.

"I feel that from 29 onwards for the next 6 or 7 years are the best years for a batsman, where you can apply your experience and what you have learnt. I'm at that stage now. What's happened is history now, it's time to move on, look forward. I don't want to look back now; I just want to focus on the future. The more I talk about or think about the past, the more I lose concentration." 

"I obviously didn't get selected for the World Cup, so I was given the opportunity to work as a television pundit by one of the channels in India. It worked out quite well as I was working with the television channel as well as practising cricket in India. I took a month and a half of power yoga classes while I was out in India. My aim was to get back to playing for Pakistan and I was preparing myself on a daily basis and waiting for the clearance. I'm not that sort of person who would just take things easily just because I was not in the side. I continued to train throughout my non-selection period and to keep myself mentally and physically ready for my call-up."

Malik was named as one of the standby players for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe, pending his approval by the PCB Integrity Committee. Now that approval has been received, Malik added that he is waiting to see whether he is invited to the ongoing training camp in Lahore.

"The news of my clearance only came out yesterday and of course it's the weekend at the moment. Let's wait and see what happens. I'm just happy that I'm cleared and now it's up to the selectors with regards to future squads. Whatever is decided regarding the camp and future selection, I will follow that."

Pakistan's busy upcoming schedule should provide Malik with plenty of opportunities to see himself back in the side, although he is urging caution and patience.

"Zimbabwe are a good side at home, they should not be underestimated. They have played some very good cricket against Bangladesh and are now back on the test stage." 

"After Zimbabwe we have some tough series too against Sri Lanka and England also. It would be good if I could get some international cricket under my belt in the Zimbabwe series before the Sri Lanka and England series, but it's entirely up to the selectors." 

Dubai based Malik was part of the Twenty20 World Cup winning squad of 2009, with the next instalment of this tournament due to be held next year. However he feels that looking ahead at his contribution and participation in the tournament in Sri Lanka was too far in the future.

"It's too far ahead to talk about that. I'm that sort of person who only looks at the next match. I only want to concentrate on the next match and not too far ahead. I believe that if you look too far into the future, then the present can go wrong."

Speculation regarding the Pakistan one day and Twenty20 captaincy has seen Malik's name once again being mentioned, especially given that current incumbent Misbah ul Haq is 37 years old. However Malik refuses to be drawn into the one day captaincy debate. 
"I'm not thinking about captaincy at all. All I am thinking about is getting back into the team. I just want to see my name on the team sheet and in the starting eleven. I am just thinking about being consistent, playing good cricket and giving 100% in all facets of the game. Consistency is the key this time around and I want to ensure that I am more consistent for Pakistan."