Malik to join Pakistan squad for Zimbabwe

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday confirmed that former cricket captain Shoaib Malik would join the squad for its imminent tour to Zimbabwe, two days after he was cleared of allegations of illegal earnings.

The 29-year-old, selected for Pakistan for the first time since last year's tour of England, was accused of failing to account for money held in an overseas bank account but has been cleared by the PCB.

The clearance, endorsed by the selection panel, paved the way for his return to international cricket.

"The national selection committee, in consultation (with) team management, has decided to include Malik in the squad for Zimbabwe," the PCB announced.

Chief selector Mohsin Khan said in a statement, "After the PCB integrity committee cleared Malik, everyone agreed that with his experience the team would be further strengthened."

Pakistan opens the Zimbabwe tour with a two-day practice match on August 28 before playing one Test, three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches.

Coach Waqar Younis, who will be stepping down after the tour due to health problems, welcomed Malik's return.

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

Malik was handed the reins of the team after Pakistan's first-round exit from the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

But the PCB axed him as captain following the team's 2-1 defeat in a home one-day series against Sri Lanka in 2009.

He has so far played 32 Tests, 192 ODIs and 32 Twenty20 matches since making his debut in 1999.

Malik said he was relieved to be back on the side.

"I am very happy at my inclusion in the team," he told AFP. "I have been keeping my fitness and have scored well in the domestic season so it's another chance for me to revive my career and I will do my best."

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011