LAHORE, Dec 23: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has filed an appeal against the ICC’s one-year ban imposed on fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed over his illegal bowling action.

“We, after considering all aspects of the case have filed an appeal with the ICC against the ban, “Saleem Altaf, PCB director cricket operations said on Friday.

Shabbir was banned after his action was declared suspect twice in a year. The second time the pacer was called for suspect bowling action was in the first Test against England in Multan last month.

Shabbir is the first bowler to be banned by the ICC for one year after receiving the report of the University of Western Australia on his bowling action.

The ICC announced the decision last Monday and Shabbir had to appeal within 14 days.

Saleem explained that some facts in the report of biomechanic expert were in favour of Shabbir and that prompted PCB to appeal against the ban.

“As all the deliveries are not illegal and only those are suspect which Shabbir has been bowling after tiredness and that point could support Shabbir to get remedy through the appeal”, he said.

Saleem said the appeal was Shabbir’s right and it could give relief to the petitioner as in case of rejection the punishment remains the same.

The ICC would now form a review group to hear Shabbir’s appeal and the PCB would provide Shabbir a lawyer to plead his case before the review group, added Saleem.