Pakistan prepare for Shabbir comeback in South Africa

KARACHI, Oct 14 (Reuters) Pakistan are hoping banned seamer Shabbir Ahmed will be cleared by the International Cricket Council to tour South Africa next year before the World Cup.

Shabbir, 30, was banned for 12 months last year for an illegal bowling action after being reported twice in 2005. He was the first bowler to banned under the new laws governing bowlers with suspect actions.

An appeal to get him cleared by the Pakistan cricket board failed.

''His ban ends on December 18 before that we will send him to Australia next month to undergo a biomechanical test to confirm there is an improvement in his action,'' a board spokesman said.

''We have got an appointment with specialists in Australia and hopefully their report would satisfy the ICC,'' he added.

Shabbir, who has taken 51 wickets in 10 tests, has had problems with his action since his debut in 1999.

REUTERS PM BS1549