PCB claims boffins have cleared Shabbir's action

Lahore, Nov 29 (UNI) Banned pacer Shabbir Ahmed's moribund career received a shot in the arm with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) claiming that the lanky bowler's mended action has been found within the ICC parameters by the University of Western Australia.

Though PCB is yet to receive the full report from the biomechanics at University of Western Australia, the Board, in a statement, said, ''As per the preliminary report received by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from University of Western Australia Biomechanics experts this afternoon, the bowling action of Shabbir Ahmed has been found within the legitimate parameters laid down by the International Cricket Council.'' Shabbir was slapped a one-year ban by the International Cricket Council after he was reported twice by match officials in 2005.

Shabbir became the first cricketer to be banned for a year because of a suspect action.

''The detailed report is expected after about a week's time subsequent to which the PCB will do the needful for getting Shabbir's clearance to represent Pakistan after his one-year ban finishes on 18 December, 2006,'' the PCB statement read.

Already missing the pace duo of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, who have flunked dope tests, the board is desperate to bring Shabbir back and the report that he has successfully mended his action comes as music to the PCB ears.

And if Shabbir manages to return to international cricket, he would owe it to Pakistan's former Test bowler Sarfaraz Nawaz, who helped the youngster remodel his action at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

PCB also did its bit by sending the banned pacer to Australia to undergo biomechanics tests earlier this month.

And if cleared by the ICC, Shabbir can be back for the first Test against South Africa in January.

The 6'5'' pacer has played 10 Test matches and 32 ODIs and took 51 wickets in the longer version of the game and 33 in the one dayers.

Shabbir made his Test debut against Bangladesh at Karachi in 2003 and played his last Test against England at Multan in November, 2005 where he was reported again.

Shabbir made his ODI debut against West Indies at Toronto in 1999 and his last one dayer was against West Indies at Gros Islet in May 22, 2005.

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