Veteran Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik retires from Test cricket

Malik had slammed a 245-run knock against England in 1st Test recently.

New Delhi: Veteran Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, who made a spectacular comeback into the Pakistani Test squad after five years, on Tuesday announced retirement from the longest format of the game.

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Malik confirmed the news on social micro-blogging site Twitter.

I have decided to retire from Test Cricket, will post my retirement blog soon. Please remember me in your Duas, love you all & thank you  — Shoaib Malik (@realshoaibmalik) November 3, 2015

The 33-year-old said that he wanted to vacate the place for youngsters who are ready to fill in his shoes.

Malik added that he wanted to focus more on ODIs and is willing to play the 2019 World Cup.

In the first Test of the on-oing three-match series, Malik slammed 245 runs against England at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The match ended in a draw.

Malik has played 35 Tests for Pakistan where he has scored 1898 runs at an average of 35.14.