Riding on the back of some extremely improved performances, Shoaib Malik has made a comeback to the Pakistani test side after a span of 5 years. Since his return to international cricket against Zimbabwe in May, Malik has been in the form of his life with the bat. In just 11 ODI innings since getting back into international cricket, Malik has already notched up 500 runs, that includes a century and three half centuries.
With Mohammad Hafeez banned from bowling in international cricket, the Pakistani management was keen to have another spinner in its rank who could also do a decent job with the bat. Shoaib Malik was the ideal choice as given his current form, he can certainly be handy. Malik has been added to the test squad as the 16th member.
Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam along with coach Waqar Younis requested the chief selector Haroon Rashid to add Malik’s name in the test squad. The chief selector agreed and felt that a player of Malik’s caliber was needed to counter England.
“Following Intikhab Alam’s request, I spoke with my fellow selectors and there was unanimity over retaining Malik keeping in mind his current batting form and the off-spin bowling option that could be handy in the all-important forthcoming Test series against England,” said Haroon Rashid.