The International Cricket Council has raised objections to the bowling action of Pakistan’s tearaway fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, officials said on Wednesday.
They said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had received a letter and a 20-minute video on Tuesday from ICC manager of cricket operations Clive Hitchcock on Akhtar’s bowling action.
``We received a video and a letter from Clive Hitchcock on Tuesday afternoon,‘’ PCB secretary Shafqat Rana said from Lahore.
``The ICC has referred Akhtar’s case to its nine-man advisory panel on illegal deliveries which will discuss the issue on December 30 in a conference call,‘’ Rana said.
Pakistan cricket officials last month denied reports in two Australian newspapers that they had received an official complaint on Akhtar’s bowling.
Akhtar’s bowling action was questioned by John Reid during the three-test series between Australia and Pakistan last month. Reid was the match referee.
Rana said Shoaib Akhtar will not be withdrawn from the 14-man squad for the Australian tri-nation limited overs series beginning January 9.
``The legality of his bowling action has been challenged but the ICC has not told us to withdraw him from the squad.‘’
According to Hitchcock’s letter to the PCB, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters, John Reid’s report on Akhtar is supported by controversial umpire Darrell Hair and Peter Willey who were the officials in the Perth test which Pakistan lost by an innings and consequently the series 3-0.
``The report by the match referee has made it clear that not every delivery is affected, but all three officials were concerned about the straightening of Akhtar’s arm immediately before a bouncer or an express fast delivery,‘’ Hitchcock said in the letter.
Akhtar, whose fastest delivery in the series was 95 miles an hour, managed only six wickets at almost 66.
However, Rana disagreed with Reid’s observation.
``A panel of test stalwarts watched the video on Tuesday afternoon and everyone was convinced that Shoaib Akhtar has a text book bowling action,‘’ he said.
Rana said the panel comprised former captains Javed Miandad and Ramiz Raja and team manager Intikhab Alam. Akhtar also watched the footage.