Shoaib Malik will return home to deal with a personal issue

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik will return home to deal with a personal issue, but is expected to rejoin the national team in England in 10 days’ time.

Malik was granted permission by the team management to fly back to Pakistan.

“The PCB will not be making any further comments and fully expects all concerned to respect Shoaib’s privacy,” a statement by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.

Malik was part of Pakistan’s World Cup squad announced earlier this month.

However, Pakistan are allowed to make changes to the side without permission from the International Cricket Council (ICC) until May 23.

The 37-year-old featured in Pakistan’s one-day warm-up match against Kent on Saturday and scored four runs before conceding 37 runs from five overs.

Pakistan will play a limited overs series against England, which will consist of a one-off Twenty20 International and five ODIs, and run from May 5 to 19.

The men in green will kick off their World Cup campaign against the West Indies in Nottingham on May 31.

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