Shoaib Malik, the experienced Pakistan all-rounder, has taken a 10-day break from Pakistan’s tour of England and Wales for unspecified personal reasons.
Shoaib Malik
London:
“The PCB will not be making any further comments and fully expects all concerned to respect Shoaib’s privacy.”
Pakistan became the first team to travel to the United Kingdom ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales, which starts on May 30. It will play the host in a one-off Twenty20 International and five one-day internationals ahead of the premier 50-over tournament.
It is currently playing county sides in three tour games. While Malik featured in the first one, against Kent, making four runs and sending down five overs for 0/37, he missed the second match against Northamptonshire on Monday.
He is also set to miss the third practice game, as well as the T20I on May 5 and possibly the first ODI on May 8.
Malik, who averages 35.12 in 282 games for Pakistan, has said this World Cup will be his last as he intends to retire from the format after the tournament.
The Pakistan Cricket Board, in a release said, “The Pakistan cricket team management has given leave to Shoaib Malik so that he can return home to deal with a domestic issue. He is expected to rejoin the team in 10 days’ time.
“The PCB will not be making any further comments and fully expects all concerned to respect Shoaib’s privacy.”
Pakistan became the first team to travel to the United Kingdom ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales, which starts on May 30. It will play the host in a one-off Twenty20 International and five one-day internationals ahead of the premier 50-over tournament.
It is currently playing county sides in three tour games. While Malik featured in the first one, against Kent, making four runs and sending down five overs for 0/37, he missed the second match against Northamptonshire on Monday.
He is also set to miss the third practice game, as well as the T20I on May 5 and possibly the first ODI on May 8.
Malik, who averages 35.12 in 282 games for Pakistan, has said this World Cup will be his last as he intends to retire from the format after the tournament.