LAHORE, Oct 18: Cricket’s governing body the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday cleared Pakistani pacer Shabbir Ahmed of having a suspect bowling action and allowed him to bowl again in international matches.

The ICC said in a statement that it had “written to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirming its fast bowler Shabbir can resume bowling at international level.”

The ICC, however, warned that if Shabbir was again suspended within two years of his previous suspension — on July 13 — he would be automatically banned from international cricket for a minimum of one year.

Shabbir, 29, last month took extensive tests under Australian biomechanic expert Professor Bruce Elliott, who cleared his action.

“The findings of the report mean that Shabbir can resume bowling in international cricket,” ICC General Manager Cricket David Richardson said.

“However, everyone needs to be aware that no bowler is ever cleared as they could simply revert to bad habits.”

Shabbir’s action was questioned for a third time for chucking in the West Indies in May this year, and he was subsequently banned from bowling at international level.

The all-clear means Shabbir will be available for Pakistan’s home series against England from November to December this year. The first Test starts in Multan on Nov 12.

“It’s good news for me and now I will be more focussed on doing my best for my country,” Shabbir said.

“It was a frustrating period but I thank Allah, the Almighty, it’s over,” added Shabbir.

Ahmed has taken 46 Test wickets and 33 in one-day internationals.

He was first reported in a tri-series competition in Canada in 1998, but was cleared after undergoing some corrective measures by former West Indian bowler Michael Holding.

His action went under the scanner for a second time when he was reported during Pakistan’s Test series in New Zealand last year.

Pakistan has been badly hit by suspect bowling action problems, with Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Hafiz all having been reported in the past.—AFP