In the eye of the storm, former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik will return to BPL 2024 on February 2. The all-rounder left Bangladesh Premier League abruptly to travel to Dubai last week for unknown reasons. But soon media reports emerged in Bangladesh that Malik was under investigation for bowling three no balls in a loss. However, later Malik and Barishal both quashed those allegations.
Shoaib Malik will be available to play in Fortune Barishal vs Khulna Tigers in the last game of Sylhet leg as per an ESPN Cricinfo report. Malik has scored only 17, 5 and 7 in three outings of BPL 2024. With the ball, he managed only one wicket. Ahmed Shahzad came in as his temporary replacement.
Shoaib Malik: In the eye of the storm
Malik has had two tumultuous last two weeks. His divorce with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza was officially confirmed. Malik married for a third time with Pakistani actress Sana Javed. And then he faced allegations of match-fixing.
But it was his second match of BPL 2024 when the social media erupted. During Fortune Barishal vs Khulna Tigers match in Mirpur, Shoaib Malik overstepped three times in the last over, giving away 18 runs as his side went on to lose. In doing so, he became the first spinner to bowl no-ball three times in an over.
Malik broke his silence two days later after moving to Dubai.
“I would like to address and dismiss the recent rumours circulating about my playing position with Fortune Barishal. I had a thorough discussion with our captain, Tamim Iqbal, and we mutually planned the way forward. I had to leave Bangladesh for a pre-committed media engagement in Dubai,” Shoaib Malik said.
