Report on Shabbir's action sent to ICC

Shabbir Ahmed: eager to play against England in October © Getty Images Enlarge

The long-running saga of Shabbir Ahmed's action is likely to be resolved this week, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

"I spoke to Daryl Foster this morning and he said the report they have compiled of Shabbir's action should have gone to the ICC on Saturday," Saleem Altaf, PCB's director, told Cricinfo. "Bearing that in mind, there should be some forward motion on his status this week."

Although Shabbir worked with Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, to rectify his action, he still travelled to the University of Western Australia in Perth to undergo extensive tests under the supervision of Foster, the Australian fast bowling coach. Foster found the modified action to be within the current parameters set by the ICC.

"There are now two things that can happen when they receive the report," added Altaf. "The ICC, on the basis of the findings, can lift the suspension automatically on Shabbir, or they will hold a further meeting to assess his action."

The Pakistan board is keen to resolve the issue before the series with England as Shabbir, with 46 wickets in a nine-Test career, is seen as one of the team's key bowlers. His last act, before being called for the third time in his career in June, was to take eight wickets and lead Pakistan to a series-levelling win against the West Indies at Barbados.