LAHORE, Nov 29: Off-spinner Shoaib Malik has said his bowling performance on the first day of the third Test was the outcome of confidence his team-mates had reposed in him, adding he had been under tremendous pressure for being called for throwing.

Shoaib struck thrice in an effective spell which reduced England from 101 for no wicket to 115 for three soon after the lunch break.

Shoaib, who had been called along with medium-pacer Shabbir Ahmed in the first Test in Multan said that his bowling action remained correct, enabling him to bring Pakistan to a good position and gave him satisfaction.

Shoaib expressed the hope that he would be cleared by the ICC.

He said that the bowling was his one main weapon and he would try his best to satisfy the ICC with his bowling action.

England’s batting hero Paul Collingwood, who steadied the innings by a fine unbeaten 71, also remarked that the innings gave him much needed confidence.

He said that in the past he had faced much criticism but this innings would help him touch fine form.

Collingwood conceded that Danish Kaneria’s googly was difficult to pick and added facing the pace of Shoaib Akhtar was also not easy.