Pakistan cricket all-rounder Shoaib Malik has attributed his revival in the national team to his tennis player wife Sania Mirza, a private news channel reported on Thursday.
Talking to the channel, Malik said that Sania’s hard work, dedication and success as a professional athlete has motivated him to raise his game to another level and enabled him to make a successful comeback.
Malik said Sania’s presence on tours is welcome as she is someone with whom he can discuss cricket comfortably.
“At times you are not able to talk and share your thoughts or feelings with someone in the team and I am lucky to have Sania. She gives me that required cushion where I can discuss things with her at a sportsman’s level and get good advice,” said Malik.
“I know how hard she has worked for her success and it has also driven me to do the same in cricket. That is why I was able to make a successful comeback to the Pakistan team which makes me very happy now,” he said.
Malik, who also captained the national team in the past, said he admired his wife’s success in the individual-oriented sport tennis.
The cricketer also acknowledged that every time his wife was present in the stands, it put extra pressure on him to perform well.
The player also revealed his ambitions of bettering his credentials and performances as an all-rounder.
“I want to be a top all-rounder, that is my goal. I know I have made mistakes in the past and I regret those now. But it has also made me a more mature and calm person and a better athlete,” said Malik.
Malik stated that his main objective at the moment is to retain his position in the Pakistan One-Day International and Twenty20 team, which he believes is a strong contenders for next year’s World T20 in India.
