Lancashire sign up Shoaib Malik for Twenty20s

Shoaib Malik, the former Pakistan captain who is currently serving a one-year ban by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), is set to join Lancashire for their Friends Provident Twenty20 campaign that begins in the first week of June. His participation has been supported by the PCB, who gave the No Objection Certificate (NOC) but is subject to visa regulations.

Malik was one of the seven players punished by the PCB following Pakistan's tour of Australia, where they lost all their matches and were bogged by off-field controversies. Malik has since kept himself occupied with his wedding to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, and with the appeals process against the ban. The PCB is yet to give its verdict on the appeals. Malik's last competitive appearance was the final of the RBS Twenty20 Cup final in March, when he led Sialkot Stallions to the title, three days before PCB handed the ban.

Despite the ban, the PCB had no problem with Malik, and other banned players, perusing county opportunities. "The suspended players can play in domestic cricket and anywhere abroad," PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar said. "We gave Rana Naved the necessary permission to play in county cricket and Malik's case was similar."

Malik has a commendable Twenty20 record at the international level, averaging 26.21 at a strike-rate of 114.85 with the bat, in addition to a bowling average of 20.42 and an economy rate of 6.65 runs per over. He led Pakistan to the final of the World Twenty20 in 2007, and was a member of the team that won the tournament in 2009.

The offspinning allrounder was delighted by the opportunity to play for Lancashire. "When Lancashire approached me to come and play for them I didn't hesitate in saying yes. I love playing cricket in England and the opportunity to play with a club of Lancashire's reputation was too good to pass up.

"Their recent overseas signings in [Simon] Katich and [Shivnarine] Chanderpaul only add to an already strong list. I'm very excited and look forward to a strong Twenty20 campaign," Malik said.

Mike Watkinson, the Lancashire County Cricket Club chairman, believed that Malik would be an asset to the side. "We are delighted to recruit yet another world-class player to the cricket club. Shoaib will be a quality addition to our Twenty20 squad."

Peter Moores, the head coach of the county side shared Watkinson's optimism about Malik's inclusion. "Shoaib has a proven track record in the game and is a versatile cricketer. He's at a good age, can bat up and down the order and is an experienced spin bowler. We look forward to welcoming him to the squad," Moores said.