April 22, 2006	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 23, 1427

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KARACHI, April 21: Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik is to undergo a shoulder operation in South Africa next week to try to improve his suspect bowling action.

The 24-year old has twice been reported due to problems caused by the after-effects of two road accidents which have limited the mobility of his arm extension.

Malik, who has played in 15 Tests and 117 One-day Internationals, has twice been reported in the last two years.

“Malik's problem is that due to those two accidents his arm tendons have become loose. So when he bowls one gets the impression there is a problem with his action,” the PCB chief Shaharyar Khan said on Friday.

“The operation is being carried out to loosen his tendons so that his arm extension improves and he faces no more problems with his action.”

Malik has been sent to Australia for biomechanical tests on his action after which he was cleared by the ICC.

A number of Pakistani bowlers have faced problems with their actions recently with seamer Shabbir Ahmed currently serving a one-year suspension from international cricket. Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been reported three times since 1999.

Meanwhile, Pakistan are set to hire former South Africa international Jonty Rhodes on a short-term basis to help improve their fielding.

“The chances are good that we will get Rhodes on a short-term contract. We should be able to have him in Pakistan in May,” a PCB official said.

The 37-year-old Rhodes played 52 Tests and 245 One-day Internationals between 1992 and 2003 and is recognized as one of the most outstanding fielders in modern cricket.

The official said that the aim was to get Rhodes on a short-term assignment to train the Pakistan senior and 'A' team players.

“We want him working with our senior players before they tour England in June and then train our younger players at the National Cricket Academy,” he added.

Despite satisfactory results in recent months that include Test series wins over England, India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan have come under criticism for their inconsistent fielding standards.—Reuters