Shoaib Malik talks about PCB Chief’s surgery remarks, NOC Denials, and India's Champions Trophy withdrawal

Veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik has spoken on several crucial cricket matters, including PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi's comments on the team's major surgery, recent NOC denials for Pakistani players, and India's possible withdrawal from the 2025 Champions Trophy.

In an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, Malik responded to Naqvi’s suggestion that a major surgery might be needed after Pakistan's lackluster performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, co-hosted by the USA and West Indies.

"Look, surgery should be done where there are plenty of surgeries to be performed. We don't have much here; we have our best players, so what kind of surgery can you perform on them? Secondly, I think that removing two or three people is not the solution. You need to look at everything. If you have brought someone in, give them time. If you give them time, things will improve. Even if someone has the ability, if they don't know whether they will stay overnight or not, how can they bring improvement to your cricket? So, whoever you bring in, give them a long-term chance, and then you will see results," Malik said.

Malik chose to end the discussion on this topic, saying, “Let’s leave it here,” to avoid further controversy.

In a recent development, the PCB declined NOCs (No Objection Certificates) to key players Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Naseem Shah for participation in foreign leagues. Malik supported this decision made by the board chief.

"Look, they have prioritized the national team and considered the workload so that your players can stay fresh. The Champions Trophy is not too far away, so they have taken everything into account and decided not to give the NOC. In my opinion, this is a good thing because the country comes first. However, there should be mutual understanding to ensure that players do not suffer. If there are large numbers involved, the central contract should be such that at the end of the day, players don't feel the sting of losing a lucrative contract," he said.

"It's okay that I'm losing it for the country, but players also deserve not to suffer so much that it becomes a mental torture. So, the numbers in the central contract should be such that if you don't allow them to go like they aren't giving the NOC now, the board has made a good decision, but at the same time, there should also be compensation for the players," he added.

Malik also addressed India's potential withdrawal from the Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. He urged the Indian team to visit Pakistan and keep politics separate from sports.

"Any issues or disputes between the two countries are a separate matter and should be resolved separately in whatever way is necessary. Politics should not come into sports. The Pakistan team went to India last year, and now the Indian team has the opportunity to come here. I think many players in the Indian team have never played in Pakistan, so this would be a good opportunity for them. We are very hospitable people, and I am sure the Indian team should definitely come," he concluded.