Shabbir to remodel faulty action

Shabbir Ahmed, whose bowling action has been under scrutiny for most of his career, will need to remodel his action to satisfy International Cricket Council norms, the Pakistan Cricket Board has said. "Though we've not yet received any report on the tests conducted on Shabbir's action in Chester, England, but it's clear that we've to work on remodelling his action," Saleem Altaf, the PCB's director of cricket operations, told The News.

Shabbir was recently reported for a suspect action for the third time in his career in the first Test against West Indies at Barbados. He then played the next Test and took eight wickets, but the Pakistan board had already made arrangements for Shabbir to work with Paul Harroun, an ICC-recognised biomechanical expert in England.

The remedial work has been completed and the report sent directly to the ICC, as Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, was away on vacation. "When we go to London for the ICC board meeting we'll get the report and know just how much Shabbir is exceeding the ICC tolerance level of 15 degrees," said Altaf. "We've to decide whether we want to directly work on correcting Shabbir's bowling action or seek ICC help in this regard, under the new regulations of the world governing body on illegal bowling actions."

Fortunately for Shabbir and Pakistan they have time on their side. Pakistan's next international assignment is not till October when they take on England at home.