Shoaib Malik recalled to Pakistan Test squad after 5 years

Karachi: Veteran Pakistan all-rounder and former captain Shoaib Malik made a comeback to the national Test squad today after a gap of five years.

The Pakistan Cricket Board announced that Malik had been inducted into the Test squad for the series against England as the 16th player.

He was not named in the squad of 15 announced last month and he last played a Test in England in August 2010.

The PCB said Malik had been included on the request of the team management since he was in good form and a very experienced performer.

Malik, who has led Pakistan in Test matches, became a strong candidate for a Test comeback because of the worries the selectors have over the form of Ahmed Shehzad and Muhammad Hafeez.

"Everyone agreed that Malik was required as the 16th player as he was an experienced batsman in the middle order who can also bowl off-spin as the fifth bowler in the Tests," chief selector Haroon Rasheed told PTI.

"We all felt that with Hafeez unable to bowl a fifth bowling option was required," he said.