Veteran Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik retires from Test cricket

New Delhi: Veteran Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, who made a spectacular comeback into the Pakistani Test squad after five years, on Tuesday announced retirement from the longest format of the game.

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Malik confirmed the news on social micro-blogging site Twitter.

I have decided to retire from Test Cricket, will post my retirement blog soon. Please remember me in your Duas, love you all & thank you  — Shoaib Malik (@realshoaibmalik) November 3, 2015

The 33-year-old said that he wanted to vacate the place for youngsters who are ready to fill in his shoes.

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Malik added that he wanted to focus more on ODIs and is willing to play the 2019 World Cup.

In the first Test of the on-oing three-match series, Malik slammed 245 runs against England at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The match ended in a draw.

Malik has played 35 Tests for Pakistan where he has scored 1898 runs at an average of 35.14.