Pakistan's fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed faces an automatic suspension for one year from international cricket if he fails a biomechanics test on Dec. 9 on his suspect bowling action.
"We will know by Dec. 10 or 11 if Shabbir is allowed to continue bowling in international cricket or he stands suspended for a period of 12 months because he has been reported twice this year for his action," Pakistan cricket Board (PCB) director of cricket operations Saleem Altaf told Reuters on Tuesday.
Altaf said the ICC had asked biomechanics expert Bruce Elliot to compare the footage of Shabbir's bowling action in lab tests carried out in September and the first Test in Multan against England earlier this month.
"If it is found that Shabbir has gone way past the 15 degrees tolerance level allowed by the ICC to bowlers to extend their elbows during the Multan Test than he stands to be suspended.
"But we are hopeful that the tests will find no real detriment in his bowling action since he underwent tests in September in Australia and was cleared on this basis by the ICC," Altaf added.
FOURTH TIME
Shabbir, who has taken 51 Test wickets, was also reported for his bowling action in May this year after a Test against the West Indies.
It was the fourth time in his career that he was reported after the Multan Test in which he took five wickets. Pakistan won the match.
He was only cleared to play after lab tests carried out in September at the University of Western Australia in Perth under the supervision of Elliot and bowling coach Daryl Foster.
Altaf also made it clear that there was recourse for an appeal if Shabbir was suspended and he could only reappear for a reassessment of his bowling action after 12 months.
"But he can continue to play domestic cricket under the supervision of the board."
Pakistan's off-spinner Shoaib Malik will also go to Australia on Dec. 6 for tests under the supervision of Elliot but Altaf said his case was very different from Shabbir's.
"He has been reported only once this year and even in the report the match officials spotted just one or two deliveries that they want examined."
Malik was used as a bowler by captain Inzamam-ul-Haq on the first day of the third Test against England and had taken three wickets after lunch.
