|
ICC clears Shabbir’s bowling action
LAHORE—The global cricket body has cleared Pakistani pacer Shabbir Ahmed
of having a suspect bowling action and allowed him to bowl again in
international matches. The International Cricket Council said in a
statement that it had “written to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
confirming its fast bowler Ahmed can resume bowling at international
level”.
The ICC, however, warned that if Ahmed was again suspended within two
years of his previous suspension — on July 13 — he would be
automatically banned from international cricket for a minimum of one
year. Ahmed, 29, last month took extensive tests under Australian
biomechanic expert Professor Bruce Elliott, who cleared his action.
“The findings of the report mean that Ahmed can resume bowling in
international cricket,” ICC General Manager Cricket David Richardson
said. “However, everyone needs to be aware that no bowler is ever
cleared as they could simply revert to bad habits”.
Ahmed’s action was questioned for a third time for so-called chucking in
the West Indies in May this year, and he was subsequently banned from
bowling at international level after tests in July. The all-clear means
Ahmed will be available for Pakistan’s home series against England from
November to December this year. The first Test starts in Multan on
November 12.
“It’s good news for me and now I will be more focussed on doing my best
for my country,” Ahmed told newsmen.
“It was a frustrating period but I thank Allah, the Almighty, it’s
over,” said Ahmed.
Ahmed has taken 46 Test wickets and 33 in one-day internationals.
He was first reported in a tri-series competition in Canada in 1998, but
was cleared after undergoing some corrective measures by former West
Indian bowler Michael Holding.
His action went under the scanner for a second time when he was reported
during Pakistan’s Test series in New Zealand last year.
Pakistan has been badly hit by suspect bowling action problems, with
Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Hafiz all having
been reported in the past.—Agencies |
