Shoaib Malik included for tour to Zimbabwe

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has been included in the squad for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe. Malik, who was cleared by the PCB's integrity committee last week, was originally named in the list of standbys for the tour with his inclusion subject to clearance from the board.

"His name was already in the reserve list of players for the tour and the PCB integrity committee cleared him last week," Mohsin Khan, the chairman of the selection committee, said. "After discussions with the team management everyone agreed that with his experience the team would be further strengthened."

Allrounder Malik, who last played for Pakistan during their controversial tour of England last summer, was involved in a battle with the PCB, whose integrity committee has not cleared him for selection since that England tour. The main issue blocking Malik's clearance was certain deposits in his overseas bank account, but the PCB, when announcing Malik's clearance on Friday, said that he was able to provide evidence that the deposits did not emanate from any questionable source or activity.

Though he was not cleared to play for Pakistan, Malik has been playing domestic cricket. He was the second-highest run-getter in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Division One last season, with 799 runs at an average of 73.57. He also featured for Sialkot Stallions in the recently-completed Faysal Bank Super Eight T20 Cup. Malik has played 32 Tests and 192 ODIs for Pakistan averaging over 30 with the bat in both formats. He has picked up 21 Test and 134 ODI wickets and has also played 32 Twenty20 internationals. He has captained Pakistan in three Tests, 36 ODIs and 17 T20s.

"Shoaib's inclusion will bolster the strength of the team," coach Waqar Younis said. "He has lots of cricket left in him and its good that he is again available to play for Pakistan."

Pakistan play one Test, three ODIs and two T20 games against Zimbabwe and kick off their tour two-day warm up game against a Zimbabwe XI on August 28 in Bulawayo.