KARACHI, Feb 19: Pakistan fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed, who was scheduled to leave for Perth on Friday to correct his bowling action, was still waiting for his visa from the Australian High Commission in Islamabad.
A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesman told Dawn from Lahore that Shabbir's departure could be delayed for another couple of days.
"By Thursday evening Shabbir had still not received his visa from the Australian High Commission. If he gets it first thing Friday morning then he may fly out to Australia later in the day," the spokesman said.
Shabbir, the 27-year-old who has played six Tests and 19 ODIs, was cited for suspect action by umpires Darrell Hair of Australia and New Zealand's Billy Bowden, after they reviewed the footage of his bowling action taken during last month's One-day International between Pakistan and New Zealand in Wellington.
Subsequently, Chris Broad, the match referee from England, reported the incident to the game's governing body the International Cricket Council.
Shabbir, who had been previously reported for suspect bowling action some years ago, will work for a week with Daryl Foster at the Western Australia University in Perth to overcome the problem.
