Shoaib Malik credits Sania Mirza after his career-best innings

Malik during his 245 runs knock

Pakistan's Man-of-the-Moment Shoaib Malik, who played a brilliant 245-run innings yesterday against England, credited his wife Sania Mirza for his successful return to international cricket, reports IBNLive.

Malik is playing his first Test match since he was dropped in 2010. After staying unbeaten on the first day on 124, he reached his double century and the career-best 245 quite comfortably.

"I think there was pressure on me to also perform as a professional sportsman after Sania's outstanding success in recent times on the tennis court," Malik said.

Mirza, who represents India, is currently World number one in the WTA Women's double rankings. She got married to the Pakistani cricketer in the year 2010. Malik spoke about how Mirza has become his inspiration as a close person and also as a sportsman.

"We speak to each other every day and now I have become used to congratulating her on her titles and she on my success. Sania has proved to be a inspiration for me in many ways even as a sportsman. After watching her win titles even after battling with fitness issues I was also inspired to match her feats as a professional sportsman," he said.

Being an athlete couple, competition will always be there in between. Speaking about the same, Malik said there is a healthy competition, but Mirza has helped improved a lot.

"It is a healthy competition between husband and wife who are professional athletes. I credit my wife for my change in approach to training and my recent success and new international career.

The 33-year-old all-rounder talked about the time when he was dropped from the Test squad and how he came back after constantly knocking the selectors’ doors by performing in other formats.

"Even when I was dropped from the test squad I didn't give up hope and I focussed on the other formats and first class cricket and foreign leagues and I think all that prepared me for my Test comeback.

"I am training harder now and I focus more. Playing a Test match after such a long time is never easy for anyone. But the rewards are worth this pressure," he said.

England were 56 for no loss at the end of Day 2 of the first Test match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Captain Alastair Cook and Moeen Ali were on the crease playing at 39 and 15 runs respectively. They trail Pakistan (523 for 8 dec) by 467 runs.