Pakistan drop Shabbir amidst chucking doubt
Pakistan have axed young fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed for the upcoming tour of
Australia after his bowling action came under the scrutiny of the game’s governing
body.
Chief selector Naushad Ali said veteran paceman Waqar Younis, who did not play
in the Sharjah Cup, will replace Shabbir in the 16-man squad.
The sacking of 17-year-old Shabbir on the advice of the International Cricket
Council (ICC) comes less than 48 hours after the squad was picked here on the
sidelines of the tournament which ends later on Friday.
“We have been asked by the ICC not to pick Shabbir for international matches till
his action is rectified,” Naushad Ali said.
“We have worked on his action, but obviously more needs to be done.” Ali said
the ICC faxed him a request to omit Shabbir after the team was anounced on
Wednesday.
“We would not have considered him if the letter had come earlier,” he said.
Shabbir, who made his international debut in September, has not been called in
the three one-dayers he has played so far.