LAHORE, Oct 19: Pakistan's Cricket Board (PCB) said on Tuesday it had set up a five-member panel to help allrounder Shoaib Malik correct his suspect bowling action.

"We have formed a panel for Malik to work on his action and we hope they will help the bowler to correct his action," PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan told reporters.

Match umpires Simon Taufel and Aleem Dar reported the 22-year-old off-spinner's bowling action during Saturday's final between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Match referee Jeff Crowe from New Zealand later referred the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The panel will comprise Pakistan's English coach Bob Woolmer, former Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis, former Australian off-spinner Bruce Yardley, former Pakistan off-spinner Ejaz Faqih and former Pakistan umpire Khizer Hayat.

Another Pakistani bowler, pacer Shabbir Ahmed, underwent corrective measures on his action with Australian expert Daryl Foster earlier this year.

Malik modified his action after it was first reported in 2002 in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.

The panel will work with him for six weeks, during which time he is free to play international cricket. A report on the cricketer will then be submitted to the ICC. After that, if Malik's action is reported again, he will face a ban of one year.

Malik, who has played five Tests and 84 one-day internationals, is part of a Pakistan team which meets Sri Lanka in the first of two Tests starting in Faisalabad Wednesday.

Pakistan's express pacer Shoaib Akhtar's action was reported three times between 1999-2002 while leg-spinner Shahid Afridi's action was reported once in 2000.-AFP