Pakistan vs Scotland: Five key Pak players to look for in the series

#2 Shoaib Malik

Shoaib Malik

"Jack of all trades, master of none"; no one fits the bill as perfectly as Shoaib Malik does. Who would have imagined that a career spanning almost two decades, beginning in the form of an off-spinner would culminate as one of the most dependable batsmen in the shorter versions of the game that Pakistan has ever had? Well, that's what seems to have happened here.

A water-tight defence backed by some cross-bat shots that rarely err and lofted drives make the man from Sialkot, a spectator's delight. However, like most Pak batsmen of the current era, the oscillation of inconsistency that he has exhibited quite occasionally has kept his career on balance several times.

His T20 exploits are well documented and he led Pakistan to the finale in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 and was a key member of the T20 World Cup triumph in 2009 in England. Though he was out of favor for the ODIs for a period of 2 years after the Champions Trophy in 2013, it has never been the case in the shortest format. He plays for Karachi Kings in the PSL and has also played in the BBL and CPL for Hobart Hurricanes and Barbados Tridents respectively.

Post the 2015 World Cup, Malik's average and strike rates have swelled up. Currently, he is widely regarded as the middle-order anchor around which Pakistan would bat in the middle and final overs of their innings. With a resolute technique and an ability to easily shift gears while batting, either staying put or playing the big shots, Malik would certainly trouble the Scottish bowlers.

Malik has 1887 runs from 96 T20Is at an average of 29.95 and a strike rate of 119.51, including six fifties.