DHAKA, Jan 12: The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed Saturday that a medical report on Pakistan’s express pacer Shoaib Akhtar had been circulated to all referees and umpires.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board and the ICC have agreed that Akhtar has now completed stage two of the ICC bowling review process, even though he has chosen not to work with former West Indian pacer Michael Holding,” ICC communication manager Mark Harrison told SADA from London.

“All ICC umpires and referees have been notified of this and circulated with copies of the correspondence from the University of Western Australia.

“Akhtar is free to play international cricket, but if reported again within the 12 month period (up to May this year), will go to stage three, which would be a meeting of the ICC Bowling Review Group.”

Akhtar faces a one-year ban if the ICC Bowling Review Group finds the action to be suspect. The PCB said it wanted Akhtar to be cleared on medical grounds after the UWA cleared him for a second time saying the deformity of his bowling arm gives the illusion of chucking.

The UWA had cleared Akhtar in April 2001 as well.

Akhtar’s action was reported for the first time in Australia in 1999 and for the second time in New Zealand in March last year. A third report on his action was made in Sharjah last November which led the ICC to appoint Holding to carry out corrective measures on Akhtar’s action.—SADA