Pakistan's Malik to undergo surgery to correct action

KARACHI, Apr 21 (Reuters) Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik is to undergo a shoulder operation in South Africa next week to try to improve his suspect bowling action.

The 24-year old has twice been reported due to problems caused by the after-effects of two road accidents which have limited the mobility of his arm extension.

Malik, who has played in 15 tests and 117 one-day internationals, has twice been reported in the last two years.

''Malik's problem is that due to those two accidents his arm tendons have become loose. So when he bowls one gets the impression there is a problem with his action,'' Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan told Reuters today.

''The operation is being carried out to loosen his tendons so that his arm extension improves and he faces no more problems with his action.'' Malik has been sent to Australia for biomechanical tests on his action after which he was cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

A number of Pakistani bowlers have faced problems with their actions recently with seamer Shabbir Ahmed currently serving a one-year suspension from international cricket. Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been reported three times since 1999.

REUTERS PM SND1430