Shabbir to play domestic games before South Africa tour

KARACHI, Nov 29 (Reuters) Banned pace bowler Shabbir Ahmed must play some domestic matches before being considered by Pakistan selectors for the South Africa tour.

The 30-year-old was banned for 12 months last December after his bowling action was reported twice in 2005 but it has now been cleared in a preliminary report to the Pakistan Cricket Board by biomechanics experts in Australia.

''There is no doubt we are keen to have him back but only after we are satisfied with his fitness, form and new action,'' a board official said today.

The PCB has fast tracked the process to correct Shabbir's bowling action in a bid to get him back in the national side after Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif received bans for doping offences earlier this month.

Shabbir, who has taken 51 wickets in 10 tests, played some domestic games with his modified action before travelling to Australia to have tests on it.

Pakistan are due to play three tests and five one-day internationals on their tour of South Africa in January.

They have never won a test series in South Africa and will tune up for the expected fast, bouncy pitches by practising on cement slabs.

''We know what to expect there. We will play on cemented slabs and practise against the short-pitched stuff during our preparations for the tour to get used to pace and bounce,'' opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez told reporters.

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