With the disappointment in his comeback tour of Zimbabewe behind him, Shoaib Malik must have breathed a sigh of relief as he admirably led his team, Sialkot Stallions, to an impressive victory against Lahore Eagles in the ongoing Faysal Bank T20 Cup in Karachi. In the process, Shoaib picked up 2 wickets and returned not out to the pavilion with match winning 88 to his name.

He later spoke to the press at the National Stadium on a variety of topics including his less than ideal return to international cricket against Zimbabwe, his thoughts on the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, his own personal form during this tournament and his prediction for the final against Rawalpindi Rams on Sunday.

Return to International cricket during the tour of Zimbabwe, after a hiatus of a year and half.

“This happens to the best of cricketers – if you make a return after a long period, you obviously have pressure. You need some time to adjust – a little rusty perhaps but it is expected if you return to international cricket after a year and half, but I had support from the team, seniors and juniors as well as the management.

All I will say is that todays innings [against Lahore Eagles] seemed to remind me of my earlier international days when I was successful. Inshallah (God Willing), if I am selected for Pakistan again, I will perform very well”

The upcoming series against Sri Lanka, given his good past record against Sri Lanka and how he rates the Sri Lankan team as opponents in the upcoming series


“I have some goals in mind. The foremost amongst them is to perform well and excel in Test Cricket - to be consistent. As you know in any Test Cricket match, you get 2 innings to prove yourself and I want to do very well in that.

Once you perform in Test Cricket then other forms of cricket such as One Day and Twenty20 are easier so the main goal is to excel in Test Cricket. I have always done my best and its up to the selectors to choose the best possible team and for someone like me to use that opportunity to succeed.”

“If you look at their [Sri Lanka's] recent record, they have done well. Fact is that whatever opposition it is, you cannot play them without proper planning. Just having big name players in your line-up is no guarantee of success – you must have 2 or 3 plans ready to utilize to win against them. Results will not come your way if you don’t play with full focus and as a unit.

How he feels about his batting today [Faysal Bank T20 Semi Final]

“The best part of today’s performance was the fact that I was not out and we won. This makes you feel really good – your confidence level really peaks. Even if you score runs and are out and if the team wins the match, your confidence level isn’t that high as when you are not out in an innings and your team wins.

Quest for a coach for Pakistani Team and his views on whether this should be a local or foreign expert


“I don’t think its my place to comment on that – it’s the board and the committees job to decide that – our job, as players, is to support whoever is chosen for this job

His views on returning to the team as captain of Pakistan in the ODI format


“I am not concerned about that. My performance in Zimbabwe was not that good which is my main concern. Captaincy only comes when you perform well. At the moment, all I am concentrating on is improving my performance.”

Perceived improvements in his bowling form and his desire to be a top all rounder.


“Yes, I have been working on my bowling during the Zimbabwe tour. The fact is, if Hafeez and I play together as all-rounders we can even play with one less regular bowler and provide that option to the selectors. I have worked hard on this and am hoping that both my batting and bowling will be good.

As you know, there aren’t too many players in international cricket that I haven’t dismissed. I have almost 150 wickets in the limited over formats. So I am hoping that when I bat, I bat like a regular batsman and when I bowl, I bowl like a regular bowler.

Faysal Bank T20 Finals – his predictions and how he views his opponents [Rawalpindi Rams]


“You cannot underestimate anyone in the Twenty20 format. All depends on who plays well in a day. It also depends on the ideal team combination and if that clicks from the first match then you are in business. Sialkot have that combination but Rawalpindi is also very strong. It all comes down to the fielding – whoever fields well will win the final

The Shoaib Akhtar auto-biography controversy and its effects on current Pakistani bowlers, vis-à-vis ball tampering

“I don’t think it will affect them. Personally, I find his words ridiculous and I am sure you [the press] do as well – the things he has said about some cricketers who are considered the best in the world are ridiculous !