Malik announces retirement from international cricket

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Pakistan veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik has said that he will call it quits after the World T20, scheduled to be held in 2020.

“If my form does not desert me and If I can maintain my current fitness standards, I will call it a day after playing in the 50-over World Cup and then the World T20,” Malik said in an interview to Press Trust of India (PTI).

The 35-year-old revealed his desire to become the first Pakistani to win all three ICC events.

“My ambition is to become the first Pakistani player to have featured in teams that have won three ICC events,” he said.

The former captain said his ambition though depend on form and fitness.

“Everything will depend on how much I can continue contributing to the team as a senior player. I myself would not like to remain part of the national team if I feel I am becoming a burden. I will retire. But right now after winning the Champions Trophy I am very optimistic we can win the next World Cup in England,” he said.

Malik said that winning the Champions Trophy was one of his career highlights.

“But winning the Champions Trophy is certainly one of the most memorable moments of my career. I am fortunate to have also been part of the team that won the World T20 in 2009 in England.”