Shoaib Malik to join Pakistan team in England, says PCB Chairman

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that Pakistan’s all-rounder Shoaib Malik will join the team in England.

“Shoaib Malik has not seen his immediate family for nearly five months due to his commitments and the subsequent international travel bans following the COVID-19 pandemic,” PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said.

According to a press release by the board, Wasim sais, “As travel restrictions are now slowly easing out and there is an opportunity for a family reunion, it is appropriate that at a human level we show compassion as part of our duty of care and respect Shoaib’s request.”

Wasim said that they raised the matter with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) who understood the situation and agreed to make an exception by helping Shoaib enter the country on July 24.

“Shoaib will follow the UK government’s policies on visitors entering the country before integrating with the side.”

Shoaib’s wife Sania Mirza and his son Izhaan Mirza Malik are in India whereas the all-rounder has been staying in Sialkot since international travel was halted to prevent the spread of Coronavirus pandemic.

He was representing Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) before it was brought to a ban on March 17.

The side is scheduled to depart for Manchester for June 28. They will then move to Derbyshire for their 14-day quarantine period where they will undergo training and practice.

Sania Mirza Wished Shoaib Malik On 10th Wedding Anniversary

Earlier in April, Tennis star Sania Mirza wished Shoaib Malik on their 10th wedding anniversary. The sports celebrities had celebrated 10 years of their marriage.

Sania Mirza had posted two pictures on social media with a heartfelt note for her husband.