Pakistan’s T20 specialist, Shoaib Malik, is all set to depart for the United Kingdom (UK) on August 15.
Pakistan takes on hosts England in a three-match T20I series, starting August 28 at Southampton. The white-ball series will be played post conclusion of the ongoing Test series.
The presence of their veteran will boost Pakistan’s middle order. Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) granted Malik’s request to delay his departure to England to spend time with family in the UAE.
Malik is married to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza and was blessed with son Izhaan last year. The former Pakistan captain was not able to spend time with family, since early this year due to COVID-19 outbreak.
Malik will now fly to Southampton only after clearing the two COVID-19 tests.
“The PCB is planning to fly-out T20 specialist Shoaib Malik to Southampton on August 15, provided he returns two negative Covid-19 tests as per the agreed protocols and processes,” the PCB said in a statement.
The three matches of the T20I series will be played in a biosecure environment in Manchester on August 28, August 30 and September 1.
On the other hand, assistant coach Shahid Aslam is expected to return to Manchester on August 8. He had left for Lahore last week to attend his brother’s funeral.
The Pakistan cricket team is currently at loggerheads with England at Manchester for the opening Test match.
After posting an impressive first innings score of 326, the visitors were in the driver’s seat with a handy first-innings lead of 107.
Moreover, in the second innings, they gave away their advantage at stumps on Day 3. Pakistan lead by 244 runs with only two wickets in hand.
Earlier, Shan Masood’s 156 set a solid foundation for the Green caps in the first innings and Yasir Shah backed the left-handers’ effort with a vital four-wicket haul.
