Shoaib to come face to face with accusers

Shoaib Akhtar's likely return to Test match cricket after working on a suspect bowling action will be officiated by the umpires who first reported him for throwing.

England's Peter Willey and Darrel Hair of Australia, who raised doubts about the Pakistan fast bowler's action after a 1999 Test in Australia, will stand in the May 17-21 First Test between England and Pakistan at Lord's, the International Cricket Council said.

Shoaib, 25, was reported again in February after a One-day International in New Zealand and told by the ICC to correct his action. After he worked with Australian bowling coach Daryl Foster, the Pakistan Cricket Board cleared his bowling.

"I don't care who's umpiring at Lord's," Shoaib told Bloomberg News. "I have the evidence that proves my action is perfectly fine. I just want them to let me play."

Shoaib, rated with Australia's Brett Lee as the world's fastest bowler, has played 15 Tests, the most recent in March 2000 against Sri Lanka in Karachi. He has 45 wickets at an average of 35.96.

The Pakistan paceman, whose deliveries have been timed at 97 miles per hour, was accused by umpires of throwing during his quicker ball. Under cricket's rules, bowlers aren't allowed to straighten their arm during delivery, an action that constitutes a throw.

Shoaib, included yesterday in a 20-man provisional squad for the England tour, was "certain" to make the final party, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman General Tauqir Zia said last week.

Hair, who no-balled Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan seven times for throwing in a Test in 1995, said he wouldn't be influenced by past events.

"I'll just call it as I see it at the time," Hair said. "I'm not going to stir anything up before I get there."

Match referee for the two Tests against England will be Brian Hastings of New Zealand, the ICC said. Eddie Nicholls, who is acting assistant superintendent of the Guyana police force, and David Shepherd of England will umpire the second Test at Old Trafford.