Shoaib Malik, a 43-year-old cricket veteran, has stirred up some drama in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Right now, he’s on the field with the Quetta Gladiators, but not everyone is happy about it. Former teammate Mohammad Yousuf voiced his concerns, suggesting that the league organizers need to set some clear rules about who can play. He believes they should consider establishing a limit to avoid confusion regarding players’ roles. Malik was also a mentor for the Stallions during last year’s Champions One-Day Cup, which makes things a bit tricky. Yousuf feels Malik needs to pick whether he wants to be a coach or a player. Mixing those roles can create problems, and we’ve seen enough of that in Pakistan cricket.
Speaking to Samaa.TV, Yousuf said, If you ask me to play, I’d jump in too. The board really should decide who’s eligible to compete. Everyone’s eager to play, but they need to have some guidelines.
On the other hand, former cricketer Shahid Afridi shared a different opinion. He supports Malik’s right to keep playing as long as he enjoys it but also thinks it’s important for him to step back occasionally. Afridi pointed out that Malik should consider giving younger players a shot in the lineup. He can keep playing as long as he wants, Afridi said. I ran into him at Moin Khan’s Academy when he was finishing up training. The National Cup T20 was happening at that time. Malik is capable of contributing in some games, but it’d be nice to see him sit out for a few so the younger guys can get their moment. They’ve worked hard to be in this position.
So far in this PSL season, Malik hasn’t been making headlines for the right reasons. He’s only managed to score 14 runs across two matches and hasn’t taken a single wicket yet. Fans are definitely hoping to see an improvement in his performance as the season continues. With all these opinions floating around, it’s clear that the conversation about experienced players versus emerging talent in cricket is still a hot topic.
