KARACHI, Dec 5: The International Cricket Council (ICC) Wednesday confirmed that it would finalize the stage-two report on Pakistan’s pacer Shoaib Akhtar’s controversial bowling action by Feb 22.

“The ICC has been in regular contact with the Pakistan Cricket Board on this matter. The specific details of stage two are for the PCB and Michael Holding to work out between them, i.e., when, where, and what format the work Holding would undertake,” ICC communications manager Mark Harrison said from London.

The legality of Akhtar’s bowling action was questioned for a third time in Sharjah last month. ICC appointed former West Indian pacer Michael Holding to assist Akhtar under the stage-two of the process on dealing with bowlers having suspect bowling action.

“The expert opinion is always considered as part of the review of a bowler’s action or any remedial treatment carried out,” Harrison said.

PCB has already sent the footage of Akhtar’s suspect action during the Sharjah tri-series to Western Australia University for a second opinion and asked the ICC to take into consideration the University’s clearance. WA University had cleared Akhtar on medical grounds in April this year.

“If PCB declines to use the services of Holding, then the stage two would cease. That would mean that any further reporting of his action would initiate stage three of the ICC Bowling Review process,” he informed.

ICC, however, said it has agreed with the PCB that the three-month period for stage two began from Nov 22, which was when the PCB received the Sharjah tape. It also means that the deadline for completion of the stage two inquiry is Feb 22.

Akhtar is currently playing club cricket in Sydney and is not expected to come back before the last week of this month.—SADA