ICC urged to study Shoaib's reports

The Pakistan Cricket Board urged the International Cricket Council on Thursday to study medical reports on Shoaib Akhtar before taking any further action on the controversial fast bowler.

Shoaib was reported for a suspect action during the recent Sharjah Champions Trophy tournament, the third time in his career that he has been reported and the second time this year.

"We will approach the ICC to have a closer look at the medical report given by the University of Western Australia last April on Shoaib Akhtar prior to fully initiating stage two of its review process," said Pakistan Cricket Board Director Brigadier Munawwar Rana.

"We feel the problem with Shoaib Akhtar lies in his peculiar physiology with respect to hyper-mobility of his joints, including the bowling arm, which is why we want the ICC to once again study the medical report.

The ICC announced on Wednesday it had appointed former West Indian fast bowler Michael Holding to work with Shoaib on his bowling action.

An assessment of Shoaib's action will be submitted to the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board within three months. The ICC said he could continue to play international cricket during that period.

Shoaib, who made his Test debut against the West Indies in 1997-98, has taken 46 wickets in 16 Tests.

Mail Cricket Editor