Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik is eager to play international cricket after his team has been starved of action given the drought in the country.

"We haven't played any competitive cricket in the last several weeks and are itching to get back into action. The National Twenty20 Cup will provide us an excellent opportunity to regain our form and rhythm before the four-nation event. Twenty20 is a very unpredictable format and you can't take any opposition for granted," Malik was quoted as saying by cricinfo website.

Pakistan last played in July at home when they hosted the Asia Cup. The Champions Trophy was also postponed in September leaving Pakistan idle at home.