Malik to retire after World Cup (3 April 1999)

3 April 1999

Malik to retire after World Cup

Our Sports Reporter

KARACHI, April 2: Former captain Salim Malik on Friday said he would say good bye to international cricket after the World Cup. Speaking from Lahore, Pakistan's celebrated batsman, however, said he wanted to go out on a winning note. "I was a member of the 1992 World Cup winning squad and I know how it feels. A victory in England would be a perfect reward for my services to the sport and country."

Malik has been named in the 15-man World Cup team by the national selectors. The team is expected to be officially released on Sunday after the Pakistan cricket Board (PCB) secures clearance from its executive council.

Malik, who was surprisingly not named in the original 19-man provisional squad, is also expected to bolster the middle-order in Sharjah's Champions Trophy to be played between April 7 and 16.

Malik, a veteran of 276 one-day internationals and 102 Tests, said his decision was a firm one. "I have seen and achieved everything a cricketer can dream of. There are no unfulfilled wishes."

But Malik, Pakistan's most successful captain in terms of victories achieved under his leadership, said he was depressed with the way he was treated in the final stages of career. "I was constantly kept in and out of the team. This inconsistency in selection often shatters the confidence of a batsman and that's precisely what happened to me."

Malik, nevertheless, minced no words in saying that he was lucky to be named by the selectors in their 15-man World Cup squad. "After my name was not announced in the provisional squad, I thought I would never play again. But lady luck favoured me at a time when I desperately needed it.

"I was disappointed three weeks ago but very happy now," he admitted.

Regarding Pakistan's prospects in the World Cup, the stylish batsman said the team was one of the favourites but maintained that one-day cricket was unpredictable. "At the moment, the team is well knit and every player is performing well."

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)