FAISALABAD, Nov 21: Pace bowler Shabbir Ahmed has been withdrawn from the ongoing Test series against England to prevent him from facing a one-year suspension over his faulty bowling action. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan said on Monday that Shabbir will not play until his action is cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“We withdraw him from the second Test against England because he is under a lot of mental stress and we didn’t want him to go into a match worried that he might be reported for his action and face a one-year suspension,” he said.

Shabbir, 29, was reported for the second time this year after Pakistan’s first Test win over England in Multan in which he took five wickets.

He has taken 13 wickets in his last two Tests. Off-spinner Shoaib Malik was also reported in the same match but is playing in the second Test in Faisalabad.

Shabbir was also reported after the first Test against the West Indies in May this year, the fourth time he has been reported in his career.

Shaharyar said that the board was optimistic that Shabbir would be cleared before the home series against India in January.

“The umpires and match referee in their report to us have admitted that there is a marked improvement in his bowling action but he is still facing problems while bowling certain deliveries,” he said.

“The bottom line is that there is 20 percent problem remaining with his action and we want that to be cleared before he plays again.

“We are now waiting a final report from the ICC on his bowling action after the latest report made on him,” he added.

He said the board would decide on their next course of action after receiving the ICC report.

“We have the options of sending him to either England or Australia. He has been before to Australia and the last time he went there to work with the biomechanic experts his action did improve a lot,” he added.

Shabbir took four wickets in the England first innings in Multan including that of Marcus Trescothick after he had scored 193.

Pakistan cricket has faced several problems with its bowlers actions in recent years with Shoaib Akhtar and Shoaib Malik also being reported previously.—Reuters