Despite a lay-off of nearly two months, Pakistan has not lost the knack of attracting controversies and making news. So the action-packed last week was no surprise to the local observer. It started off with the integrity committee meeting in Lahore and was capped off with the stunning resignation of coach Waqar Younis.

The highlight, however, was former captain Shoaib Malik’s clearance to play international cricket and his immediate induction in the team for the tour of Zimbabwe last Sunday.

The all-rounder from Sialkot was left out of the national team after the test series against England which was hit hard by the spot fixing scandal.

Malik’s performance was ordinary on the tour and he was rightly left out before the limited overs series. The real distress, however, was the spot fixing scandal which also engulfed him.

Over the years the mild mannered and soft spoken player had been accused of intrigue and grouping by team management and senior players. He was also banned following the ignominious tour of Australia at the start of 2010, yet like most others made his way back within months.

Soon though, the integrity committee, formed by PCB on the directive of the International Cricket Council (ICC) following the spot fixing scandal, found discrepancies in his bank statement and decided not to clear him for selection in December last year.

By that time Malik had returned to form and scored heavily in the domestic season besides leading Sialkot in the one day competition.

Cricket pundits called for his inclusion in the team for the World Cup and the Integrity Committee met again to reassess his case. But Malik had little going his way as he failed to convince the decision makers about a 90,000 pound transaction that appeared in his bank statement.

He along with leg-spinner Danish Kaneria remained under probe while wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, also under the spot light, got himself cleared.

The PCB refused to give an official version of the case which meant that speculations remained rife throughout.

In an interview for Dawn News before the World Cup, Malik remained hopeful of getting clearance. He stated that he was only concentrating on playing cricket and was confident of returning to the national fold.

He claimed that he had done all that was asked of him by the committee and had a clean record.

Many felt that his confidence stemmed from his contacts with the high-ups in the country who had assured him of his return.

Even after the Australian tour it was political influence that paved the way for his inclusion in the team for Asia Cup in April-May last year.

Meanwhile, PCB Chief Ijaz Butt accused Malik of lying and non-cooperation in an interview for to a local channel a month or so ago. He claimed that he would not buckle under pressure from any quarter.

Keeping in mind PCB’s glorious track record, it is not surprising that Malik has now somehow convinced the chief of his innocence.  Doubts over the legitimacy of the 90,000 pounds transaction have also been cleared.

PCB released a on 19th August; an excerpt of the release is given below:

“The matter of Shoaib Malik which was initiated suo moto by the Integrity Committee with regard to certain deposits in his overseas accounts has been under consideration since December last year. Shoaib Malik was directed to provide complete information supported with relevant documents regarding the source of the said deposits which he did provide. The Committee reviewed all the material in detail and also verified the veracity of the said information from relevant authorities.

The Integrity Committee after detailed deliberations has unanimously reached the conclusion that prima facie Shoaib Malik has been able to establish that the said deposits in this overseas account did not emanate from any questionable source or activity.”

While cricketing circles welcome his return to the national team they remain puzzled by the decision making by PCB.  The question that they are asking is what took the Integrity committee so long to clear Malik and conversely why did the player wait for eight months to provide the relevant documents after initially claiming that he had done all that was asked from him some five months ago!

Despite the murkiness of the whole affair one hopes that Malik would make a significant contribution henceforth and help the national team achieve success in what is a grueling season of cricket which includes full series against Sri Lanka and the top ranked test side in England.

Malik himself has vowed to deliver on the field, “I want to my performance do the talking, I want to silence my critics and those who have accused me of wrongdoing in the past, my aim is to serve Pakistan cricket for six to seven more years.”

While Malik has made his way back into the national fold, Butt may be on his way out for good if the reports emanating from the corridors of power are to be believed. It is being said that former test cricketer has had enough and does not want to extend his tenure past its expiry in October.

There is an air of expectancy amongst present and former cricketer who are gearing up to be on the ‘right side’ of the new administration as they bid farewell to one of the darkest eras of cricket in the country.