KARACHI. Dec 31: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has banned Pakistan express bowler Shoaib
Akhtar from International cricket over his bowling action, a Pakistani board official said Friday, reports AFP.
The decision immediately rules Akhtar out of a tri-nation series involving Pakistan. Australia and India, starting In Australia on January 9.
We have been informed by the ICC about this Unfortunate decision. We have been asked to work on Shoaib’s action," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) secretary Shafqat Rana told.
"We have not been given any time frame." Rana said, adding he hoped the "Rawalpindi Express" would be available to play Sri Lanka in February.
The ICC is to reconsider Akhtar's case in a month.
A nine-member ICC committee outlawed Akhtar after an hour-long teleconference on Thursday.
Waqar Younis would replace Akhtar in Australia and would depart in a couple of days senior PCB official Rameez Raja said.
Raja, who heads PCB's advisory board, told the Associated Press of Pakistan that Younis had apologised for recent objectionable utterances.
Younis was dropped from the squad for the second leg of Pakistan's recent Australian tour as according to selectors he was out of form. Pakistan subsequently lost the Test series 3 0.
His omission led to outbursts from the bowler, who blamed skipper Wasim Akram.
The decision on Akhtar was communicated to Pakistan team manager Brigadier Mohammad Nasir In Australia just hours after the side returned there for the tri-nation series. Last month they suffered an inglorious 3-0 Test series defeat In Australia.
"It is a big blow for the team and cricket. He is great attrac-* tlon for cricket fans all over the world. We never found anything foul in his action," Rana said.
During the October-November Test series, questions were raised by Australian umpires about the legitimacy of Akhtar's action.
Officials said selectors would hold a meeting to decide for the replacement of Akhtar who is expected to return home from Australia.
'When the whole world was waiting for a Bret Lee-Akhtar clash for 100-mile thunderbolts this decision has ruined all," Rana said.
"It's a very harsh decision." former Pakistan captain and chief coordinator of PCB newly oppointed advisory council
Rameez Raja said.
Rameez was In the panel of experts who watched the footage of Akhtar's bowling sent by the
"His action when he bowls a bouncer is a little different but ICC had objected on one ball and has now banned him on his entire bowling." Rameez said.
Rameez. however, ruled out any official protest to the ICC. saying: We do not want a head-on with ICC but we condemn the decision in a way that Its on his entire bowling."
Former captain and a member of advlsoty council Javed Mlandad caller! upon the ICC to
Rawalpindi Express, was ques-. Honed by international match referee John Reid of New Zealand after the test series against Australia earlier In the month.
Akhtar earned international fame during the World Cup in England this year when he was tipped to become the first bowler to break the 100-miles-an-hour (160-kllometre) barrier.
His action was first questioned during the limited overs game in Australia when Australian officials sent video footage to the Australian
look into the law of illegal delivery.
"Its time now that ICC should change this law. Do all the bowlers with bend arm chuck. Its unfair." said Mian-dad.
Former chief selector Haslb Ehsan criticised New Zealander umpire John Reid. "Its more of a personal decision and an attempt to run down the career of a popular cricketer."
The issue cropped up when the bowling action of the 24-vear-old fast bowler, dubbed as
Cricket Board (ACB) claiming his action was suspect.
Pakistan cricket officials had mainatined Akhtar s action was correct. A national panel of experts viewed video footage from the ICC last week and gave him a green light for Australia.
In October, the ICC also advised tearaway fast bowler. Shabbir Ahmed, to Improve his action. Shabbir was initially selected for the Test tour of Australia but was pulled out after the ICC’s directive.