Malik cleared by PCB integrity committee

Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan allrounder, has been cleared by the PCB's integrity committee and is now eligible for selection for the national team. Malik, a former Pakistan captain, has not played for the national side since the controversy-filled tour of England last summer, and has been involved in a long-drawn out battle with the PCB to be cleared. He was named a reserve player for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe, but the PCB have not yet announced whether he will be included in the main squad now that he has been cleared.

The main issue blocking Malik's clearance was certain deposits in his overseas bank account, but the PCB has said in their release announcing Malik's clearance that he was able to provide evidence that the deposits did not emanate from any questionable source or activity.

Malik first met the integrity committee in January this year, along with Danish Kaneria and Kamran Akmal, but was not cleared and missed out on the World Cup. He met the committee again on August 15, and, after a meeting of the committee on August 19, has been cleared. The August 19 meeting was attended by PCB chairman Ijaz Butt and the board's legal advisor Taffazul Rizvi among others. They came to the joint decision that there was no incriminating material suggesting the deposits in Malik's accounts were related to dubious activities.

"Shoaib Malik was directed to provide complete information supported with relevant documents regarding the source of the said deposits which he did provide," the PCB statement said. "The committee reviewed all the material in detail and also verified the veracity of the said information from relevant authorities.The integrity committee after detailed deliberations has unanimously reached the conclusion that prima facie Shoaib Malik has been able to establish that the said deposits in this overseas account did not emanate from any questionable source or activity."

Though he was not cleared to play for Pakistan, Malik has been playing domestic cricket. He was the second-highest run-getter in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Division One last season, with 799 runs at an average of 73.57. He also featured for Sialkot Stallions in the recently-completed Faysal Bank Super Eight T20 Cup.

Malik said he was looking forward to representing Pakistan again. "The last year was very tough on me and not playing the 2011 World Cup was the biggest tragedy of my life," he said. "But now I will do my best for my country whenever I get a chance."