Shoaib cited again for suspect action

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was cited on Thursday for a suspect action, the second such report in his career coming as he was sent home early from Pakistan's tour of New Zealand due to injury.

New Zealand umpires Doug Cowie and Steve Dunne reported Akhtar for a suspect bowling action in the one-day international against New Zealand in Dunedin on Wednesday, the International Cricket Council said in a statement.

"The ICC has formally notified the Pakistan Cricket Board of the situation and a copy of the TV coverage of Shoaib Akhtar's bowling in the match will be couriered to the ICC in London," said match referee Ranjan Madugalle, of Sri Lanka.

The video would also be sent to Pakistan where cricket authorities have six weeks to review the matter and work with the bowler to correct the concerns raised.

Akhtar can continue to play during that period but Pakistan said a soft tissue thigh injury suffered earlier in the series, won 3-2 by New Zealand on Wednesday, meant he could take no part in the upcoming Test series starting in Auckland on March 8.

Akhtar left the field for a time during Wednesday's game, a four-wicket win to New Zealand, and was clearly struggling when he returned to bowl the final balls of the game.

"We are not risking him further," Pakistan team manager Fakir Aizazuddin said.

"Naturally no player likes to go back in the middle of a tour but he knows himself that he is not 100 per cent."

Akhtar had tried to carry on but medical advice was that it would take three weeks for his thigh to heal, Aizazuddin said.

"We thought the injury was minor and we gave him this final chance because he said he was fine, but he let us down."

Akhtar was first called for a suspect action in the third Test against Australia in Perth in December 1999.

A bowler in cricket is required to bowl with a straight arm. The concern is that Shoaib's arm bends just before he releases the ball which, if so, would give the ball extra thrust.

Akhtar, who bowled at up to 151 km per hour in Wednesday's game, is vying with Australia's Brett Lee -- whose action was also examined last year -- to be the world's fastest bowler.

Mail Cricket Editor