I have a self-obsession for fitness – Shoaib Malik after scoring the fastest fifty

Former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik was blazing all guns against Scotland. The veteran scored a well-compiled fifty off just 18 balls, the fastest in the history of the ICC T20 World Cup. He equalled KL Rahul’s record in the tournament.

According to him, his self-obsession for fitness is behind his success. Malik, who made his debut in 1999, is the fittest cricketer in the current Pakistan team.

Malik scored an astonishing 18-ball 54 to set up Pakistan’s total of 189 runs in 20 overs. Pakistan won the game by 72 runs in the end.

“…Well, to be honest, I would say I have a self-obsession for seeing myself fit when I look at it in the mirror, and most importantly, I’m still enjoying playing cricket, and it’s helping, as well, at the end of the day towards the team,” Malik said at the post-match press conference.

“I guess if you want to stay fit, then you’ve got to train every day, and that’s what I have been doing.

“I’m not sure about playing a year or two more years. Right now I’m in the middle of a very important thing and not thinking about all that.”