Cricket: ICC asked for ruling on Shoaib

SHOAIB AKHTAR, the fast bowler who has signed a lucrative contract to play for Nottinghamshire from next summer, has been reported to the International Cricket Council for a possible suspect action, according to reports in Sydney this morning.

The reports said a videotape containing footage of Shoaib bowling in the three Tests against Australia, all of which Pakistan lost, would be sent to the ICC along with an official request that his action be reviewed. It is Shoaib's quicker, shorter ball that is in question rather than his routine delivery.

Pakistan's manager, Yawar Saeed, said: "It's not been brought to my notice by anyone."