Cricket World Cup 2019: Shoaib Malik retires from ODIs after Pakistan fail to reach semi-finals

All-rounder retired with a record of 287 ODIs for Pakistan, scoring 7,534 runs including nine centuries

Pakistan's Shoaib Malik takes part in a training session at Headingley in Leeds, northern England ahead of their World Cup cricket match against Afghanistan on June 28, 2019.  / AFP / Paul ELLIS
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Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has announced his retirement from 50-over format following his team's failure to reach the semi-finals of the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Pakistan's hopes of reaching the knockout stages in England were dashed despite a 94-run win over Bangladesh at Lord's on Friday, losing out to New Zealand because of a lower run rate.

"Today was our last game, and I'm retiring from ODI cricket," said all-rounder Malik, who played 287 ODIs for Pakistan, scoring 7,534 runs including nine centuries.

"I had planned this for a few years ago to retire on the last Pakistan World Cup match. I'm sad that I'll be leaving a format of cricket that I loved but happy that I'll have more time to spend with my family.

"This will also allow me to focus on Twenty20 cricket."

Malik, 37, picked up 158 wickets in the 50-over format since making his debut in 1999. He was dropped after the team's humiliating loss to arch-rivals India in Manchester last month.

He managed just eight runs in his three matches, including two ducks, and took one wicket.

Malik, who led Pakistan to the final of the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007 where they lost to India, was a key member of the side's triumph in the following edition in England in 2009.

Malik, who said his goal was to play the shortest format's showpiece event in Australia next year, was congratulated by his wife Sania Mirza, the Indian tennis player.

"Every story has an end, but in life every ending is a new beginning' @realshoaibmalik... u have proudly played for your country for 20 years and u continue to do so with so much honour and humility... Izhaan and I are so proud of everything you have achieved but also for who u r," Mirza said on Twitter.