Pakistan recall Shoaib Malik for Tests against England

Pakistan includes leading all-rounder Shoaib Malik on Tuesday as the 16th member of Pakistan's squad for the forthcoming Test series against England in UAE. Malik earns a place in the Test squad after a number of consistent performances in the limited-over cricket and has an opportunity to join Pakistan's Test playing side for the first time after five years. The 33-year old last played his Test against the same opponents in August 2010.

 

Malik was included in the already announced 15-man squad after the Team Manager Intikhab Alam requested Chief Selector Haroon Rashid for the all-rounder's inclusion and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan gave his consent to the request.  Rashid was quoted as saying he consulted his fellow selectors following Intikhab Alam's request and they unanimously decided to retain Malik due to his current batting form and the off-spin bowling option that could be useful in important upcoming Test series against England.

Pakistan has an extra spin option with Malik's inclusion that is Pakistan’s preferred form of attack against England. Pakistan had an experienced batsman in the form of Malik to the limited-over sides upon his comeback in the home series against Zimbabwe. He smashed a century against Zimbabwe at the Gadaffi Stadium following strong performances in the series win against Sri Lanka.

 

He shone with an amazing 96 not-out in a controversial five-run loss to Zimbabwe more recently. Malik has scored 1606 runs at 33.45 in 32 Tests since his debut in 2001 and has been unable to find a permanent place in the side. The first Pakistan-England Test will start in Abu Dhabi on October 13.