Now is the time to retire, says Malik after 35 tests

LONDON: Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik is to retire from test cricket at the end of the current match against England in Sharjah, he said yesterday.

Malik, 33, made a shock return to test cricket at the beginning of the three-match series in the UAE, marking his comeback with a career-best 245 in Abu Dhabi.

He has since scored 47 runs in five innings, including a golden duck in his last one on Tuesday, but he did record his best test bowling figures of 4/33 on the day he announced his retirement.

“We have some good youngsters and now is the time to retire,” Malik, who made his test debut in 2001, told reporters. He scored more than 1 800 runs in 35 tests.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Hafeez made a brave unbeaten 97 to lift Pakistan to 146/3 74 runs ahead of England at the close of day three. England claimed a 72-run first-innings lead to push for a series-levelling victory, but Hafeez and Azhar Ali shared an opening partnership of 101 to bring the hosts back into the match.

Ali was farcically run out for 34, James Anderson trapped Malik lbw for nought and Stuart Broad dismissed Younus Khan for 14 in the final session to give England hope after they had been bowled out for 306 soon after lunch.

Jonny Bairstow (43) and Samit Patel (42) contributed useful cameos while Ben Stokes came out to bat despite a broken collarbone before being the last man out.

Hafeez, on two, was given out caught behind off Anderson but the opener immediately reviewed the decision and got it overturned.

After adding nine more runs to his score, the right-hander edged Moeen Ali but wicketkeeper Bairstow could not pouch the deflection.

It was confirmed that Stokes will not bowl again in the match. – Reuters