'No interest in playing for Pakistan' - Shoaib Malik to continue exploring franchise opportunities

Shoaib Malik has reaffirmed his decision not to play for Pakistan again and wants to continue exploring opportunities in T20 franchise tournaments globally.

The veteran Pakistan batter is commentating in the ILT20 and has kept his options open to play even at the age of 43.

"My plans, personal plans are very simple. Even though I'm commentating here in the ILT20, but I still play cricket," Malik told Mr Cricket UAE on the sidelines of the ILT20.

"And yes, I've reduced playing some league cricket, but I still play cricket wherever I get the opportunity, and I'm still fit enough. No plans to retire, but yes, having said that, I've already said that I have no interest playing for Pakistan, that I have already stated two years ago.

"But wherever other opportunities are for me, I will go and play. I'm still fit. I'm still good."

Shoaib Malik: A globetrotter in ever-evolving T20 landscape

Shoaib Malik is a renowned name in the world of franchise cricket. The batting allrounder has played 93 games in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for four different teams: Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, and Quetta Gladiators. He has aggregated 2350 runs at a strike rate of 127.78, including 15 fifties.

The Sialkot-born has also represented four different franchises in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). He played for Comilla Victorians (CV) from 2015 to 2018, then moved to Rajshahi Royals in the 2019/20 season. His last two stints in the BPL came for Rangpur Riders (2022/23) and Fortune Barishal (2023/24).

Guyana Amazon Warriors, Barbados Royals in the CPL, Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL, and Delhi in the IPL, Malik has accumulated 13571 runs in 557 T20s at a strike rate of 127.24, including 83 fifties.

Malik enjoyed a memorable career for Pakistan, playing 35 Tests, 287 ODIs, and 124 T20Is, scoring 1898, 7534, and 2435 runs, respectively. He is the fifth-leading run-getter for Pakistan in the 50-over format and had famously led the side to the final of the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007 - a high point in his career.