Pakistan have sprung a surprise by adding veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik to their squad for next week's first Test against England.
Shoaib, who played the last of his 32 Tests to date more than five years ago against England at Edgbaston, has been added to the squad at the request of team manager Intikhab Alam following discussions with coach Waqar Younis.
A statement on the Pakistan Cricket Board website cited the inclusion of 33-year-old Shoaib "given his present form in T20Is and the ODIs".
Chief selector Haroon Rashid added: "Following Intikhab Alam's request, I spoke with my fellow selectors and there was unanimity over retaining [Shoaib], keeping in mind his current batting form and the off-spin bowling option that could be handy in the all-important forthcoming Test series against England."
The three-Test series against England starts in Abu Dhabi next week.
Source: PA
