Shoaib Malik believes his brilliant century against Zimbabwe in the first one-dayer at Lahore on Tuesday has given his flagging international career a fresh impetus.
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Malik bludgeoned 112 off 76 balls for his first ODI century in six years to set up Pakistan’s 41-run victory.
The 33-year-old, turning out for Pakistan in a one-dayer since 2013, felt the big knock couldn’t have come at a better time.
“I needed it. These are the performances that extend your career,” he said. “Before coming into the series I was playing in Faisalabad in domestic T20 where I played couple of good innings and that actually gave me the flow and confidence. Now I would like to keep it going and be consistent with my form.”
Well played Pakistan & great inning @realshoaibmalik..Treat to watch..Keep it up .. Good knock from @AzharAli_ & @HarrisSohail89 ..
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) May 26, 2015
Having featured in 217 ODIs scoring 5602 runs and taken 142 wickets, Malik is the experienced hand Pakistan need in the aftermath of the retirements of Misbah-ul Haq and Shahid Afridi.
He believes his performances in the domestic matches kept him going despite being in the wilderness for two years and now he is eager to step up for the team cause.
“There has been an obvious disappointment but as a profession you always look for opportunity and you have to perform to get the selectors’ attention,” he added.
“Everyone sets goals … I too have mine and would like to carry on my form and do well for my country.”
Pakistan will be aiming for another win in the second one-dayer against Zimbabwe on Friday to keep their 2017 Champions Trophy qualification hopes alive.
The top seven teams in the world and hosts England will feature in the 50-overs tournament which means Pakistan, ranked ninth, need to win all three games of the ongoing series to improve their position.
