Shoaib cleared again by Aussie experts

The drawn-out controversy over Shoaib Akhtar's bowling action took a new twist on Friday when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced he had been cleared for a second time by Australian experts.

PCB director Brigadier Munawwar Rana told Reuters that he had received a new report on Shoaib from the University of Western Australia.

"The report confirms and reiterates its earlier findings of May 2001 that it is Shoaib's peculiar anatomical characteristics that lead to the erroneous perception of throwing," he said.

"The university has reaffirmed that Shoaib has an abnormal upper limb in his bowling arm since birth."

The 26-year-old Shoaib, dubbed the "Rawalpindi Express" and among the world's fastest and most exciting bowlers, saw his career thrown into doubt when he was reported for a suspect action for the second time this year -- and the third time in all -- after a one-day tournament final in Sharjah in November.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) responded by appointing former West Indian pace bowler Michael Holding to work with Shoaib on his action. Under ICC rules, the player could be banned for a year if reported for a third time within a 12-month period.

The PCB, however, has asked the ICC to examine the medical report from the University of Western Australia and had continued to argue Shoaib should be treated as a special case.

"The PCB is considering the fresh report and is in touch with the ICC to proceed with the matter in a logical and amicable way," Rana added.

"Our objective is that this matter is resolved properly and Shoaib can continue to bowl without any further undue pressure as soon as possible."

Shoaib, who has taken 46 wickets in 16 tests but barely played over the past year, was first reported for throwing in Australia in 1999. He was reported again in a one-day international in New Zealand in March.

Biomechanics experts in Perth, however, where Shoaib was sent, argued that video analysis showed his action was legal. They said it looked as if his arm was straightening during delivery because of the abnormal flexibility of his shoulder and elbow joints.

Rana said they had now confirmed their initial findings after studying a video of Shoaib's bowling during the Sharjah tournament.

Respected Australian fast bowling coach Daryl Foster, who works at the University of Western Australia and who has also help coach Pakistan's bowlers, met Shoaib recently in Sydney, Pakistani cricket sources said.

They said Foster also watched him bowl in the nets and provided feedback to the university.

Shoaib is currently playing club cricket in Sydney alongside Australia's Brett Lee, his leading rival for the title of the world's quickest bowler.

Mail Cricket Editor