WELLINGTON: Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik has been ruled out of the forthcoming T20 series against New Zealand and is returning home, it was announced on Saturday.

“Malik suffered a delayed concussion when he was hit on the head by a wayward throw during the [fourth] ODI in Hamilton. He has been making good progress since suffering the delayed concussion and is showing daily signs of improvement,” said a PCB spokesman while quoting team physiotherapist Vib Singh on Saturday.

“He has been advised to rest a minimum of seven to ten days for the concussion to resolve. The decision was made to give him the best chance to continue aiding his prognosis and that he should return home to recover in a familiar and comfortable environment.”

The spokesman added: “He is coming back home to gain full recovery from the injury and the tour management committee during the meeting also decided not to call up any replacement for Shoaib for the T20 series.”

Malik, who turns 36 on Feb 1, will recuperate at home from the symptoms of the delayed concussion he is curr­ently showing after bei­ng struck on the head by the ball while running between the wickets during the fourth ODI in Hamilton on Jan 16.

Pakistan tour management committee, comprising manager Talat Ali head coach Mickey Arthur and captain Sarfraz Ahmed, held a meeting with the team physiotherapist and Shoaib to discuss the all-rounder’s participation in the three-match T20 series starting on Monday at Welli­n­gton’s Westpac Stadium.

The committee reviewed the expert advice it received from the top medical consultants here and after conducting all necessary medical tests of Malik, the committee decided to send him home.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2018