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ICC notify Pakistan on Shoaib's action

Pakistan's cricket officials today confirmed that the Pakistan Cricket Board received a letter and a 20-minute video from ICC manager of cricket operations Clive Hitchcock on fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's tearaway's action.

"We received a video and a letter from Clive Hitchcock," PCB secretary Shafqat Rana said.

However, he ruled out dropping the bowler from the 14-man squad for the tri-series in Australia, involving Australia and India in January.

"The legality of his bowling action has been challenged but the ICC has not told us to withdraw him from the squad," Rana said.

Akhtar's bowling action was questioned by John Reid during the three-Test series between Australia and Pakistan, in which Reid was the match referee.

According to Hitchcock's letter to the PCB, Reid's report on Akhtar is supported by controversial umpire Darrell Hair and Peter Willey, who officiated in the Perth Test.

"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.

Agencies