Shoaib Malik:- What Could Have Been‏

Fast rewind 30th March 2011, Pakistan V India 2nd Cricket World Cup Semi Final and after India were restricted to a mere 260, Pakistan had begun their run chase. After a good start from the openers, both openers perished leaving Pakistan 70-2 in the 16th. Young, but talented Asad Shafiq at the crease with nerves jangling and enters a guy oozing class, a guy who is big game player. A man for such occasions.

Enter Shoaib Malik, a man averaging over 50 (4 hundreds) against India in ODI Cricket. A guy who has been there and worn that Tee-Shirt, so to speak. A guy that has the charisma to stride out, punch the gloves of Shafiq and let him know there is no pressure as his here. A man that even when Asad Shafiq gets out that can dictate the game. A man that Misbah can play around and take the team over the line.

Now nothing is for certain but can you imagine how the chances of Pakistan of winning that game would have increased had Malik been available? A guy dropped because he wasn't cleared by the PCB's integrity committee for his overseas assets.

Now fast forward to today and Malik has been cleared. My question is why has it taken the best part of a year? Why have Malik and his family had to go through this for so long looking like some dodgy fraudulent people? Why has the Pakistan public been made to suffer in his loss? And last but not least if its hard for us fans to look at something like Mohali and think of what could have been, then how must a Malik think whilst watching when he knows he should be out there in the middle?

I remember 2009 and the T20 final at Lords, I was in a stand watching and always knew with him there we will win. His return makes me feel happy but still can't let go of what could have been.