His Mind Must Not be on the Ground': Fans Troll Shoaib Malik for Bowling Three No Balls in an Over in BPL

Days after his wedding, Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik was subject to trolls on social media after delivering a bizarre over in the Bangladesh Premier League. The match took place between Fortune Barishal and Khulna Riders at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium on January 22. Barishal skipper Tamim Iqbal decided to use Malik as a bowler in the powerplay.

The Pakistan all-rounder failed to live up to his captain’s expectations and bowled three no-balls in the over, going on to concede 18 runs. Thanks to this expensive over, the Tigers were able to cross 50 runs in just four overs. Malik was brutally trolled on the internet for this strange bowling performance.

Many linked the cricketer’s marriage to his three no-balls.

Another fan jokingly said that the cricketer had already overstepped the mark times three times, referring to Shoaib Malik’s three marriages.

Almost everyone agreed that spinners shouldn’t be delivering any no-ball, let alone three. One user said, “Spinner doing no balls, looks like his mind is not present in the ground.

“How a spinner can even bowl a single no-ball in over?” said another.

Shoaib Malik recently tied the knot with Pakistani actress Sana Javed in a marriage ceremony that shocked the cricket world. Malik was previously married to Indian badminton player Sania Mirza. The duo were one of the more recognisable sporting couples in the world. It was later revealed that Sania had initiated divorce proceedings and had obtained a ‘Khula’ from their relationship several months before the recent marriage ceremony.

Coming back to the Bangladesh Premier League match, Fortune Barishal and Khulna Tigers faced each other in the sixth T20 of the tournament. The match started with the Khulna Tigers winning the toss and deciding to bowl first. Barishal put up a competitive total of 187 during their innings, thanks to a 68-run knock from Mushfiqur Rahim in just 39 balls. The wicketkeeper batter smashed five boundaries and four sixes in the match. Shoaib Malik didn’t get much of an opportunity to make an impact in the first half. The all-rounder only put up five runs in six balls before the innings ended.

The second innings began with Khulna Tigers’ skipper Anamul Haque leading his side’s batting charge. He played a powerful knock of 63 runs before Evin Lewis smashed another 53 in just 22 balls. The duo’s impressive batting performances were enough to seal an eight-wicket victory for their side.