ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2021

November 7, 2021

Shoaib Malik

Sharjah Stadium

Pakistan

Post Match Media Conference

Pakistan 189/4, Scotland 117/6

Q. How do you look forward to meeting against a formidable Australia team peaking at the right time in the semifinals?

SHOAIB MALIK: Of course we have seen Australia, the way they have been playing. They have been playing really good cricket. So are we. But of course it's going to be a tough challenge for both the teams, but if (not in English). It's another game, then I guess the other batters have made plans, execute (not in English) and just take it as another game.

Q. (Question not in English.)

SHOAIB MALIK: I think it's way too early to discuss about all this. (Not in English) and then we have a few days in between before the semis, so I'm sure management will sit, our team is going to sit and they'll definitely talk about and they'll make plans, as well, for the semis. (Not in English).

Q. Shoaib, you are 39 but still the fittest in the playing 11. What is the secret of the fitness, and what do you think how capable you are to play for Pakistan for one or two years more?

SHOAIB MALIK: Well, to be honest, I would say I have self-obsession of seeing myself fit when I look at it in the mirror, and most importantly I'm still enjoying playing cricket, and it's helping, as well, end of the day towards the team.

I guess if you want to stay fit, then you've got to train every day, and that's what I have been doing.

I'm not sure about playing a year more or two more years. Right now I'm middle of a very important thing and not thinking about all that.

Q. You had a fantastic outing at this tournament so far; today when you look back, can you sum up your feelings, and what is it that's going on in the camp at the moment after everything that the team has been through?

SHOAIB MALIK: Well, if you're just talking about myself or overall the team?

Q. Both.

SHOAIB MALIK: First let me tell you about myself. I was playing on the Caribbean Premier League when they have announced the first team, and my name was not there. Of course I felt bad. I was very disappointed. But I've seen a lot of the teams where my name was not there, so of course when you're not part of World Cup team, then it hurts.

But as a professional cricketer or as a professional athlete your goal is to talk to yourself and somehow come out from that frustration, so I had the opportunity because I was playing in the Caribbean Premier League, and then I've come back, I played a domestic tournament because I still enjoy going to the ground, and that's what keeps me going.

I still remember let's come and talk about the team. When I joined the team from before, we had almost like five to seven days' camp there, and everybody was working hard, looking forward to doing well in the World Cup, and you could see that the team is gel, all the players are helping each other. Team management giving all the confidence to the players. That's what a player expects from a team management and a captain.

Overall in the dressing room, the atmosphere is really nice, and it's just that we need to keep giving our best shot.