Malik has expressed a wish to set up his own cricket academy

Malik was given the ban six years ago following Mr Justice Qayyum's inquiry into match-fixing.

But fast bowler Ata-ur-Rehman had a similar life ban lifted earlier this week and Malik said: "Rehman's relief gives me a lot of encouragement.

"I will definitely appeal against the ban," he added.

Malik played 103 Tests and 283 one-day internationals for Pakistan and was a member of the side which won the World Cup in 1992.

But a number of allegations were later made against him, including Australians Shane Warne, Mark Waugh and Tim May claiming that he tried to bribe them to bowl badly during a series in Pakistan in 1994.

He has always maintained his innocence, but a series of appeals to the Pakistan authorities were all rejected.

The International Cricket Council's decision to clear Rehman to resume his playing career has changed the picture.

Cricket's world governing body has stressed, however, that the decision did not "represent a precedent in respect of other banned players" and any subsequent applications would be decided on their merits.

But PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf said: "In case Malik appeals, we will consider it and forward it to the ICC."