The 37-year-old’s 10-day absence means he will not feature in the one-off T20I against England scheduled to be played on May 5 and the first of the five ODIs against the hosts on May 8.
Shoaib Malik of Pakistan in action during the sixth match of Asia Cup 2018 Super Four between Bangladesh and Pakistan at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Sept 26, 2018. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)
All-rounder Shoaib Malik, who is currently in England for the upcoming limited overs series and the World Cup thereafter, has decided to fly back home due to personal reasons.
Malik is expected to rejoin the team in 10 days’ time, confirmed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in an official statement.
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“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,” read the PCB statement.
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The 37-year-old’s 10-day absence means he will not feature in the one-off T20I against England scheduled to be played on May 5 and the first of the five ODIs against the hosts on May 8. The all-rounder might return only before the second ODI at Southampton on May 11.
Malik, a veteran of 35 Tests and 282 ODIs, has already confirmed that the upcoming World Cup will be his last.
Pakistan will begin their World Cup campaign against the West Indies in Nottingham on May 31, before playing two practice games against Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
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