Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Wasim Bari lauded Shoaib Malik’s decision to call it a day from Test cricket while saying the all-rounder has set a perfect precedent for other cricketers to emulate.
“I think Malik has taken the proper route since he must have felt uncomfortable in a format which he hadn’t played for five years prior to this series,” Bari told after Malik has announced retirement during the ongoing final Test against England in Sharjah on Tuesday.
“It’s a tremendous gesture on Malik’s part to make the call because taking such decisions is never easy. But if an individual finds the going tough and can’t handle the pressure of Test cricket he is the best person to judge whether he’s good enough to carry on playing or otherwise. It’s brave of him to take a very tough decision.”
Bari said Pakistan cricket seldom has moments when top players have retired on their own terms.
“I think the problem lies in the system in which we exist. When I retired in early 1984 after the tour of Australia, I had already made up my mind during the long tour [Pakistan’s only five-match Test series against Australia] since I felt my time was up and the sense of enjoyment [playing cricket] was on the wane because I had been representing my country for me than 16 years.”
Bari, who had headed the national selection committee on several occasions, believed Malik still has a role to play in the one-day and T20 formats.
“At 33 Malik is good enough to play in one-dayers and T20s for several more years.
“He has performed brilliantly since his comeback earlier this year. Pakistan need experienced players like him to guide the younger players,” Bari remarked.
“If he’s performing and helping the team wins, it will be good for Pakistan to utilise his presence.”
