Malik advised to go under knife

Experts have suggested that Shoaib Malik, 23, undergo elbow surgery that he be able to resume his international bowling career. The Pakistani offspin allrounder was reported for an illegal action in late 2004 and has since been used very selectively with the ball.

Reports are that Malik has been experiencing pain whilst attempting to straighten his arm in the process of bowling. The recommendations of specialists Joe de Beer and Veretos, who examined Malik’s arm in South Africa, is that he either take pain killers before the match or have a medical procedure done to solve the problem explicitly.

The surgery would demand a period of 3 months for recovery and may well be the likely option, as Pakistan takes a break from international cricket, peding the completion of the tour of the West Indies in May/June. Following the series, Pakistan will be out of action until October.