KEY POINTS
- Shoaib Malik retires from PSL after foundational 10-year career.
- He amassed 2,350 runs with consistency, cementing his legacy as reliable middle-order batter.
- His retirement coincides with the PSL’s expansion to eight teams.
ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan captain and all-format stalwart Shoaib Malik declared his retirement from the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The 42-year-old, a fixture in the league since its inception, stated that while his journey as a player in the tournament has concluded, his commitment to the sport remains unwavering.
Marking the end of a 10-year PSL career, Malik shared the news on social media.
“I cherish every single moment and friendship I have made on and off the field throughout my 10 years of the Pakistan Super League as a player. It’s time to call it a day,” he wrote in an Instagram post.
He added a note of continued dedication, clarifying, “My passion and motivation to serve for the betterment of cricket will always stay.”
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Legacy of consistency
Malik’s PSL journey saw him represent four franchises: Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators.
He established himself as a reliable and impactful middle-order batter, appearing in 93 matches.
His final PSL tally stands at 2,350 runs, scored at an average of 33.09 and a brisk strike rate of 127.78, including 15 half-centuries.
His experience and calm demeanour under pressure made him a valuable asset to every side he played for.
Era ends as a new one begins
Malik’s retirement coincides with a period of expansion for the PSL.
The league is poised to enter a new chapter with the addition of two new teams, Hyderabad and Sialkot, following a star-studded auction earlier this month.
The upcoming 11th edition, scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, will feature eight teams, with Lahore Qalandars entering as the defending champions.
Malik’s departure marks the closing of a foundational chapter as the tournament prepares for its expanded future.
The cricket community has begun paying tribute to Malik’s contributions, remembering him as one of the league’s pioneering and most respected figures.
