Shoaib Malik included in Test squad against England

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.

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

Chief selector Haroon Rasheed said the team management had requested that Malik, who also bowls off-spin, be included.

Pakistan had announced a 15-men squad for the Tests against England and off-spinner Bilal Asif was added in the ODI squad against Zimbabwe to test his abilities but in a turn of events, Malik was included in the squad. In 11 ODI innings this year, Malik has scored 500 runs with a century and three fifties at an average of 100, while his run tally in T20 internationals stands at 118 from six matches.

Malik played the last of his 32 Tests against England at Birmingham in 2010.

Abu Dhabi hosts the first Test from October 13, with the last two matches taking place in Dubai (October 22-26) and Sharjah (November 1-5).

The 33-year-old’s inclusion will also help Pakistan shore up the off-spin resources, which were depleted after Hafeez was banned from bowling for 12 months.

It’s over five years since Malik, 33, last played in a Test for Pakistan, coincidentally against England at Edgbaston, but he has been added to the squad at the request of team manager Intikhab Alam after discussions with coach Waqar Younis.