Islamabad, May 13 (IANS): Banned former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has got the permission of the board to play for the English county Lancashire.

"We have given Malik the required No Objection Certificate (NOC)," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson Nadeem Sarwar was quoted as saying in The Dawn.

Malik was among the seven players banned by PCB for indiscipline after a disastrous tour of Australia early this year. He was also slapped a fine of Rs.2 million

Malik has filed an appeal against the suspension and the fine with the PCB arbitrator Irfan Qadir. The next hearing is due Saturday.

"The suspended players can play in domestic cricket and anywhere abroad," Sarwar said.

"We gave bowler Rana Naved the necessary permission to play in county cricket and Malik's case was similar."

Malik, who last month married Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, said he enjoyed playing in England and was happy to be approached by Lancashire.

"When Lancashire approached me to come and play for them I didn't hesitate in saying yes. I love playing cricket in England and the opportunity to play with a club of Lancashire's reputation was too good to pass."

Lancashire chairman Mike Watkinson feels Malik will add quality to their Twenty20 squad.

"We are delighted to recruit yet another world-class player in Shoaib to the cricket club," Watkinson said.