Shoaib Malek’s resurgence gives Pakistan a selection dilemma

Abu Dhabi: Many eyebrows were raised when Shoaib Malek was roped into Pakistan’s Test squad after a gap of five years on the basis of his One Day International (ODI) form.

There was a big question mark if he would be able to carry his form into the longer version as his scores in ODIs had come against teams like Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.

What made his comeback even tougher was the fact he was replacing the injured Azhar Ali in the key No 3 position, where he had never figured before.

But Malek, who made his debut in 2001, has weathered all the challenges thrown at him in world cricket and in life. From being pulled up for a suspect bowling action to being banned from the national team by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on charges of infighting, there has rarely been a time when his life hasn’t been a struggle.

Malek was very popular with former Pakistan coach the late Bob Woolmer, who rated him highly as captain material, but he failed to gain respect among his teammates and that had a lot to do with him being young and inexperienced at the time.

His marriage to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza was no less intriguing than a Bollywood blockbuster and was televised in both countries. When Malek looked like he had slipped into wilderness, his other half kept excelling in tennis and that has clearly now rubbed off on to the husband.

Malek also acknowledged that he need not look for inspiration other than his wife. There is always ‘healthy competition’ at home and here was Malek following suit.

Batting close to six sessions in testing conditions, showing tremendous endurance, grit and determination, Malek has clearly risen from the ashes to score a momentous double ton (245) in his roller-coaster career.

It not only put Pakistan in a position of strength in the opening Test against England, but has also put skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and the Pakistan team think-tank in a fix.

Whatever the outcome of this match, Pakistan will face a selection dilemma for the second Test — with Ali expected to be fit by then.

The marathon double ton is clearly a reincarnation of Malek, who is known for switching an innings from caution to aggression with ease. For Pakistan, Malek’s resurgence to peak form could not have come at a better time — and for England at the worst.