If you’re a cricket fan, there’s no way you haven’t heard of Shoaib Malik. A name that has become synonymous with longevity, adaptability, and consistency in world cricket, Malik has been around for more than two decades, representing Pakistan with pride. From his early days as a teenager making his debut in the late ‘90s to being a reliable senior presence in T20s, his journey is nothing short of inspiring.
In this detailed profile, let’s walk through Shoaib Malik’s age, personal background, career stats, and achievements—in a way that feels like chatting with a cricket buddy over tea.
Shoaib Malik – Quick Personal Profile
Before we dive deep into the numbers, here’s a snapshot of who Shoaib Malik is:
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Full Name: Shoaib Malik
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Date of Birth: February 1, 1982 (Age 43 as of 2025)
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Birthplace: Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan
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Height: Not officially documented
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Role in Team: Batting Allrounder
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Batting Style: Right-handed batsman
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Bowling Style: Right-arm offbreak
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Country Represented: Pakistan
Malik has always been admired not just for his versatility on the field, but also for his calm and composed personality off it. Over the years, he has transitioned from being a young debutant to a seasoned allrounder, guiding younger players along the way.
Early Career and Rise in Cricket
Shoaib Malik’s career kicked off back in 1999, when he made his ODI debut against the West Indies. Just think about that for a second—while most of today’s players were still in school, Malik was already wearing the Pakistan jersey.
His adaptability set him apart early. Whether Pakistan needed a batsman to anchor the innings or a bowler to break partnerships, Malik was often the go-to man. Over time, he proved himself as one of the most valuable batting allrounders Pakistan has ever had.
Shoaib Malik’s Test Career
Even though Malik’s Test career was relatively short compared to others, it had its shining moments.
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Matches Played: 35
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Innings: 60
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Total Runs: 1,898
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Highest Score: 245
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Batting Average: 35.15
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Centuries: 3 (including a memorable double ton)
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Half-Centuries: 8
His 245-run knock against England in 2015 stands tall as one of his finest innings. It showed the patience, grit, and determination that define Test cricket.
On the bowling front:
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Wickets Taken: 32
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Best Bowling Figures: 7/59 in a match
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Bowling Average: 47.47
While Malik wasn’t Pakistan’s main strike bowler in Tests, his off-spin gave the team a handy option in tricky situations.
Shoaib Malik in ODIs – The Backbone of Pakistan’s Middle Order
If Tests were where Malik showed his patience, ODIs were where he truly shined. With 287 matches under his belt, he became a crucial figure in Pakistan’s one-day setup.
Batting Record in ODIs:
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Matches: 287
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Innings: 258
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Runs Scored: 7,534
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Highest Score: 143
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Batting Average: 34.56
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Strike Rate: 81.91
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Centuries: 9
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Fifties: 44
What made Malik special in ODIs was his ability to adapt to any situation. Need quick runs? He could accelerate. Need someone to anchor the innings? He had the technique and patience.
Bowling Record in ODIs:
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Wickets: 158
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Best Figures: 4/19
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Bowling Average: 39.19
While his bowling numbers may not scream “world-class spinner,” they highlight how often he chipped in with crucial breakthroughs when the team needed them most.
Shoaib Malik in T20 Internationals – The Senior Pro
T20 cricket came into the picture much later in Malik’s career, but he adapted like a natural. Representing Pakistan in 124 T20Is, he became one of the longest-serving players in the format.
Batting Stats in T20Is:
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Matches: 124
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Runs: 2,435
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Highest Score: 75
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Average: 31.22
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Strike Rate: 125.65
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Fifties: 9
Bowling Stats in T20Is:
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Wickets: 28
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Best Figures: 2/7
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Economy Rate: 7.11
What stands out here is his consistency. Unlike many players who struggled with the fast pace of T20 cricket, Malik always looked calm and collected, often guiding Pakistan through pressure moments.
Shoaib Malik in the IPL – A Short Stint
Not many people remember, but Shoaib Malik also featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL) back in 2008.
IPL Batting Record:
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Matches: 7
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Runs: 52
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Highest Score: 24
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Average: 13
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Strike Rate: 110.64
IPL Bowling Record:
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Wickets: 2
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Best Figures: 1/6
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Economy Rate: 10.0
Though his IPL stint was brief, it highlighted how Malik was willing to explore every cricketing opportunity available to him.
Shoaib Malik’s Career Timeline
Here’s a quick rundown of the key moments from his career:
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ODI Debut: October 14, 1999, vs West Indies at Sharjah
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Test Debut: August 29, 2001, vs Bangladesh at Multan
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T20I Debut: August 28, 2006, vs England at County Ground
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IPL Debut: April 22, 2008, for Delhi Daredevils vs Deccan Chargers
And his last appearances in each format:
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Last Test: November 1, 2015, vs England at Sharjah
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Last ODI: June 16, 2019, vs India at Old Trafford
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Last T20I: November 20, 2021, vs Bangladesh at Dhaka
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Last IPL Match: May 22, 2008, vs Kolkata Knight Riders
This timeline shows just how long and diverse Malik’s career has been, stretching across decades and multiple formats.
Also Read : Imad Wasim Profile – Age, Career Info & Stats
What Makes Shoaib Malik Special?
So, what exactly makes Malik stand out in Pakistan’s cricket history?
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Longevity: Few cricketers manage to stay relevant for over 20 years.
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Versatility: He contributed with both bat and ball, across formats.
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Leadership: He captained Pakistan at different points, guiding a young team with maturity.
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Adaptability: Whether it was Tests, ODIs, T20Is, or even the IPL, he could fit into any role.
Shoaib Malik’s Legacy in World Cricket
Even after stepping away from international cricket, Shoaib Malik remains a respected figure in the sport. Younger cricketers look up to him as a role model for how to maintain fitness, discipline, and focus over such a long career.
His 7,500+ ODI runs, nearly 2,500 T20I runs, and countless match-winning moments ensure that his name will always be remembered in Pakistan’s cricketing history.
Final Thoughts
When you look at Shoaib Malik’s profile—his age, stats, and career highlights—it’s clear that he represents resilience and dedication. Very few players manage to remain consistent over two decades, but Malik did it with grace.
Whether you remember him for that marathon Test double-century, his crucial middle-order knocks in ODIs, or his steady hand in T20 chases, one thing is certain: Shoaib Malik has left behind a legacy that fans will celebrate for years to come.
