Shabbir will definitely miss England series

The Pakistan pace bowler Shabbir Ahmed is out of international cricket until at least December 2006, the ICC has confirmed.

The ICC issued a statement on Monday to correct media reports which had suggested that Shabbir could be cleared in time for Pakistan's tour of England in July. Shabbir was called after the first Test against England in Multan in December, the second instance in a year.

The body's general manager, David Richardson, said that because Shabbir's appeal against the suspension had been turned down, the bowler's action could only be reassessed at the end of a one-year suspension.

"It a player is independently assessed to have been bowling twice in two years, they will be suspended from bowling in international cricket for one year," said Richardson. "If a player does not accept the independent assessment of his action then he can request a hearing of the Bowling Review Group (BRG).

"In Shabbir's case the BRG upheld the findings of the independent assessment which means that, unfortunately for him, he will not be able to submit for reassessment until December 2006."

Shabbir will also miss the tour of Sri Lanka in April; the Champions Trophy which starts in October and the proposed home series against Zimbabwe. He could make a return sometime during the visit of West Indies, who are scheduled to arrive in December.