Reminisce Shoaib Malik's special knocks on his 41st birthday
Malik is currently playing Bangladesh Premier League
Pakistan's veteran cricketer Shoaib Malik is one of the most celebrated cricketers in the country.
The all-round cricketer was part of Pakistan's ICC T20 World Cup 2009 and ICC Champions Trophy 2017 winning campaigns.
Malik turned 41 today but his fitness and recent form has ensured that the cricketer is still left with cricket in him.
Let's recall Malik's five memorable knocks on his 41st birthday:
Fastest T20I fifty against Scotland
Shoaib Malik was on song with the bat against Scotland in T20 World Cup 2021. Pakistan were already on top of their group by winning four out of five matches.
In fifth and last group game against Scotland, the green shirts were led from the front by Malik who became the fastest Pakistani batter to score a T20I fifty. The right-handed batter smashed 54 runs off just 18 balls at a strike-rate of 300. His entertaining knock included a boundary and six maximums. He led Pakistan to 189-4 while batting first and then the table toppers won their last match by 72 runs.
143 vs India in Asia Cup 2004
Shoaib Malik was phenomenal in 10th match of Asia Cup 2004 against arch-rivals India. After deciding to bat first, Pakistan lost their opener Imran Nazir earlier. But, Malik utilised his experience and scored his ODI best of 143. He spent most of the time at the crease, playing 127 balls at a strike-rate of 112.59.
Pakistan scored mammoth 300-9 in that match and won it easily by 59 runs. Malik also took two wickets in that match to help Pakistan restrict India to 241-8in 50 overs.
51* vs Afghanistan in Asia Cup 2018
Shoaib Malik rescued Pakistan against Afghanistan in a crucial match in Asia Cup 2018 in the UAE. Set to chase 258 runs in 50 overs, Pakistan got a good start with Imam-ul-Haq (80) and Babar Azam (66) scoring 154 runs together after opener Fakhar Zaman's early departure.
Later on, while chasing, Pakistan lost a couple of quick wickets which built pressure on them. But, Malik scored a fighting fifty to hand Pakistan a safe three-wicket victory. He scored 51 not-out off 43 balls including three boundaries and a six.
245 vs England in Test (2015)
In elite format of the game, Shoaib Malik came with his best performance against England in Abu Dhabi in 2015. After deciding to bat first, Pakistan scored 523-8d. Malik contributed highest 245 runs laced with 24 boundaries and four maximums.
Malik also partnered with opener Mohammad Hafeez to score 168 runs together after Shan Masood walked off earlier. That Test match was drawn.
148* vs Sri Lanka in Test (2006)
Shoaib Malik stunned Sri Lanka in first Test of the series at their home in 2006. Pakistan were on a verge of defeat but Malik stood out as a saviour for his team.
Pakistan were batting in their second innings and had to bat for at least 120 overs to save the match. Malik, who then used to play as an opener, stood for his team and played for 121 overs. He scored 148 not-out off 369 balls including 21 boundaries and two sixes. Pakistan scored 337-4 at stumps on last day to draw the match.
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