Shoaib Malik
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 Pakistan (Pak) |
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| Batting style | Right-handed batsman (RHB) | |
| Bowling type | Right-arm offbreak (OS) | |
| Tests | ODIs | |
| Matches | 18 | 125 |
| Runs scored | 941 | 3216 |
| Batting average | 37.64 | 32.81 |
| 100s/50s | 1/5 | 5/19 |
| Top score | 148* | 143 |
| Balls bowled | 1429 | 4628 |
| Wickets | 13 | 101 |
| Bowling average | 63.07 | 33.86 |
| 5 wickets in innings | - | - |
| 10 wickets in match | - | N/A |
| Best bowling | 4/94 | 4/19 |
| Catches/stumpings | 8/- | 46/- |
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As of 6 December 2006 |
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Shoaib Malik (Urdu: شعیب ملک) (born February 1, 1982 in Sialkot) is a Pakistani cricketer. He started his career as an off spinner, and now has become a very useful batsman as well. He performs especially well against India and has batted in a number of positions. Most of his early successes have come in one day internationals. He has been allotted to the position of a Test match opener as a potential solution to Pakistan's difficulties in this area.
With ambition to become the best all rounder in world cricket, he has improved so much that he has found a place in the Top 5 One Day International players (LG ICC Player Rankings). He continues to find place in the Pakistan's final XI despite high competition from Abdul Razzaq, and Shahid Afridi. Malik gives Pakistan the flexibility to play a game with three all rounders, or have one for reserve. He is capable of hitting big shots, but he also has the ability to defend, if needed.
Shoaib Malik's father died on January 25th 2006 after a long illness, due to which he could not attend the 3rd Test played between Pakistan and India. However he returned to the ODI series, making a good impression by scoring 90, 95, and 108.
He made his first impression in Test cricket by saving a game for Pakistan against Sri Lanka by batting out the whole day and making 148-not out.
