Heartthrobbing, ball wacking, game changing former Captain

Zanita delves deep into the heart of Pak Power

I always had a yearning to meet the Pakistani cricketers this has been a lifetime of pursuing which finally I achieved when

I met Imran Khan who came here on the invitation of Sifani Jewellers, but besides Imran there are many others who I want to meet cricketers from both the past and present.

Due to their tight security schedule and work arrangements I was not able to meet any of the others. This time when the Pakistan cricket team was here Ricky Simms from Leisure Times, asked me whether I want to do an interview with Shoaib Malik and I agreed to meet him as well for a short while.

When I walked into the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel for an interview Ricky Simms told me that he was praying: That was the Asr prayers (evening prayers)and I had to wait for him. He came, apologised for the delay and we started the interview. I was really impressed by his strong religious beliefs when he said that "wherever I go I offer my five times daily prayers. I fast during the month of Ramazan even if I am often away from Pakistan.

Asked if celebrity status and glory changed him, Shoaib Malik gives a very faint smile. I am I believe in and espouse to being myself. People mob me wherever I go, they want their albums autographed , pose for pictures and shout out my name. These are all part of the game since my wife is also a leading tennis player we sometimes find it difficult to be seen in public. I take the fame and adulation that comes to me in my stride, we are both, myself and my wife proud to be known for our success and we are accepted by our fans wherever we go, said Shohaib. He was in Sri Lanka for the SLPL cricket matches. Shohaib says that he loves Sri Lanka. It is like coming home. I feel very comfortable here. I asked him the reasons for this he opined that Sri Lanka is a beautiful place, people are hospitable and the cricketing team here is very friendly and lend their whole hearted support. Sri Lankan cricketers have a work ethics which is excellent, they work hard and are constantly striving to improve.

Commenting on the question what after cricket he laughts and says I have a couple of years to go so my focus just now is to play cricket and think and plan my future later in life. Do you enjoy travelling? Yes of course sometimes it is hard when I have to travel alone, but these are trivial things in life, so I take whatever stride that comes my way and this is the motto I follow. Most of the time I travel with my wife , we love to meet people, taste different cultures and enjoy different places. I did not touch on cricket, so much because I don’t know the rules of the game. Hard work, focus to response and less pressure are some of the main ingredients for the success of a cricketer. A win always gives you confidence but failure should not be a deterrent to your success. Talent alone is not enough to make a good cricketer. For success, work hard and learn things on your own, this will make you a good cricketer is his advice. Shohaib bluntly refused to be photographed may be perhaps as he was in casual attire.

His sharp nose and good looks never fails to impress the women not only here but all over the world.

Humble about his achievements Shohaib says that he loves food. "I love food and I indulge in food wherever I am".

I work out and keep myself fit. I go to the Gym often and never forgets to do my exercises My other passion is watching football. I love the rules of the game.

My only challenge now is to find time to be together with my wife because we bot But when we are together we both enjoy the sights and sounds of different cultures whatever country we have the good fortune to visit both of us for work as well as play.

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