Mohammad Yousuf has openly disapproved the decision to include 43-year-old Shoaib Malik in the Pakistan Super League (PSL X). Malik, a semi-retired cricketer, is presently playing for Quetta Gladiators in the ongoing season, but his participation has flashed dispute due to his underwhelming performances.
Yousuf stated his frustration, stating, “PCB needs to draw a line. If you ask me, I’ll play too.” His comments highlight concerns over the significance of aging players stealing positions in the starting XI from young talent, raising questions about the balance between experience and present form.
In the two matches played so far, Malik’s contributions have been negligible. He has bowled just two overs, yielding 35 runs, and has batted only once. In yesterday’s match against Lahore Qalandars, Shoaib Malik scored a difficult 14 runs off 15 balls, failing to hit a single boundary, in Quetta Gladiators’ chase of a discouraging target of 220 by Lahore Qalandars. His lack of influence has strengthened inspection over his role in the team.
Yousuf’s comments reproduce a broader discussion within Pakistan cricket about the participation of expert players in franchise leagues. Opponents claim that such selections may compromise the PSL’s competitive edge. As the tournament progresses, Malik’s continued presence in the league is likely to remain a antagonistic issue.
