Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik recently appeared on Geo News’ comedy show Haansna mana haiwhere he opened up about his long cricketing journey, early encounters with cricketing legends, and even offered some honest advice to the youth regarding marriage.

During the lively conversation, Shoaib reflected on his early days in cricket, revealing a memorable moment from when he was just 14 years old. He recalled meeting Pakistan’s legendary former captain Imran Khan during a training camp. “Imran Khan and other coaches watched me play and liked my game,” said Malik. “That’s how my name got forwarded for selection.”

He also shared another interesting anecdote from a practice session in Sri Lanka. At the time, he was still a junior and was mostly assigned bowling duties. Noticing this, former cricketer Javed Miandad approached him and said, “Why are you always bowling? You’re a batsman too!” From then on, Miandad personally helped him focus more on batting, which played a significant role in shaping him as a well-rounded cricketer.

Talking about his impressive 22-year-long international career, Shoaib emphasized that success in sports can never come solely from personal connections or friendships. “It’s not possible to build such a long career just because of networking,” he said. “I play in international leagues, and it’s my skill and fitness that have helped me last this long. You can only perform well if you’re physically fit.”

The conversation took a more personal turn when the topic of marriage came up. Shoaib offered sincere advice to young men about when to consider settling down. “If a guy gets married before 25, that’s great — even Islam encourages early marriage,” he said. “But if you cross 25, don’t rush into it. Be patient, work on yourself, and improve as a person.” He added, “If you didn’t marry by 25, then wait until after 30 to do it right.”

For context, Shoaib Malik’s personal life has been a subject of public interest. He was previously married to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, with whom he shares a son, Izhaan Mirza Malik. After their separation, he tied the knot with Pakistani actress Sana Javed in 2024.

From cricketing legends to personal milestones, Shoaib Malik continues to share his journey with honesty, leaving fans both inspired and entertained.

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