Shoaib Malik: Shoaib Malik, a veteran Pakistan batsman, said that facing Australia in a T20 World Cup semi-final will give him “butterflies.”
Highlights
- Shoaib Malik admitted semis vs Australia will give him “butterflies”
- Pakistan completed the Super 12 stage with five wins in as many games
- Pakistan will face Australia in the second semi-final in Dubai
With a precise 72-run triumph over qualifiers Scotland in Sharjah, Pakistan finished the Super 12 stage with five wins in as many games. Pakistan scored 189-2 in 20 overs before Scotland was reduced to 117-6 thanks to Shoaib’s quickfire 18-ball 54 not out, the fastest half-century of the competition.
This set up a mouth-watering semi-final in Dubai between Pakistan and Australia, a rematch of the 2010 T20 World Cup final, which the Australians won on the last ball in St Lucia.
Shoaib Malik 39-year-old Shoaib said after his man-of-the-match knock which contained six sixes and a four:
“Of course, we are watching Australia play good cricket and so are we, so it will be a tough match for both teams,”
“It will be a tough challenge for both teams and will give us butterflies but that is always encouraging.”
“We will take the semi-final as just another game and I think if we do that then we will be able to plan things in a better way,” he said.
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Shoaib Malik, who has appeared in each of the T20 World Cup’s seven editions. Will approach Thursday’s semi-final as “just another game.”
Australia finished second in Group 1, winning four of their five matches. But falling short of first place on net run-rate against England.
Despite having yet to win a T20 World Cup. Australia is peaking at the right time, with opener David Warner returning to form. Against the West Indies on Saturday, scoring 89 not out.
“We will have a good rest, we are the form team so we need to plan well for the semi-final and this rest will surely help in doing that,” added Shoaib.
“I am enjoying cricket and keeping fit, always love to come to the ground. And do my best for my country and today’s innings were like that, highly enjoyable and it helped the team.”
Shoaib, who was not initially selected in the team. And was only added after Sohaib Maqsood was ruled out due to a back injury. Said the omission had pained him.
“I was playing the Caribbean Premier League when the initial squad was announced and when my name was not there, it hurt but I had a way to get my frustration out as I was playing.
“Then I came back to Pakistan and did well in the National Twenty20 and luckily got selected, so I am happy that I am here and enjoying my time.”
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