Former Pakistan captain Salim Malik has been gifted a lifeline, with the Supreme Court directing a lower court to record evidence and hear his appeal against life ban from cricket.

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"The matter should be decided within two months," the Supreme Court directed on Thursday.

Malik's appeal had been rejected by the lower court earlier.

Reacting to the verdict, the 45-year-old said, "I now have hope that finally I will get a verdict against the ban in two months time. I have only wanted justice and I have maintained I am innocent. This case has lingered on for too long. But now I am confident my appeal would be heard and be successful.

"My playing career is now over but I want to get into coaching and give something back to cricket," he added.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had imposed a life ban on the stylish middle-order batsman after a board-appointed inquiry found him guilty of fixing international matches.

Malik had been accused by Mark Waugh [Images], Tim May and Shane Warne [Images] of offering them bribes to underperform during the Australian tour of Pakistan in 1994.

The PCB had barred Malik from holding any office related to cricket.

Malik had captained Pakistan in 12 Tests and 34 one-day internationals.