Shabbir considers quitting cricket

Shabbir Ahmed is considering quitting the game after he became the first bowler to be banned from bowling for 12 months for an illegal action. On Monday, the ICC banned Ahmed after tests on his questioned bowling action proved he exceeded the limit of 15 degrees allowed to bowlers.

"I am heartbroken and once you are repeatedly embroiled in such a situation you are compelled to think about quitting," Ahmed, the Pakistan fast bowler, told AFP. But in 130 years of Test cricket, only one bowler has quit the game over his illegal bowling action.

The Australian left-arm seam bowler Ian Meckiff was no-balled four times in one over in the first Test of their series against South Africa in 1963-64. A disgusted Meckiff quit the game immediately.

The 29-year-old Ahmed was reported for a second time this year during the first Test against England at Multan last month. He was originally reported under the ICC's new rules in May this year. Subsequent tests proved he had transgressed the limits for which he was banned in July this year.

Australian experts cleared him with further tests in October, but he was reported again for his suspect action at Multan, in a game when he took six wickets. He revealed he was thinking of quitting the game before the Multan Test, but was convinced to resume by captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Ahmed now has 14 days to appeal against the ban and will meet Pakistan Cricket Board officials to decide about the appeal on Thursday.