Former paceman Nawaz hopes to bail out banned Ahmed by AFP

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Player:

Sarfraz Nawaz, Shabbir Ahmed

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DateLine: 4th January 2006

 

Former cricket great Sarfraz Nawaz said Wednesday he would work with banned Pakistan paceman Shabbir Ahmed to remove a flaw in his bowling action that led to the International Cricket Council's sanction.

 

"Ahmed needs to improve the final moment of his arm when he releases the ball and once he succeeds in that, I am sure the ban on him will be lifted," former fast bowler Nawaz told AFP.

 

The ICC banned the 29-year-old Ahmed from bowling in international cricket for 12 months because of an illegal action.

 

Ahmed was reported for the second time in one year during the first Test against England in Multan last November. After tests on his action he became the first bowler at international level to receive a new 12-month ban.

 

The Pakistan Cricket Board last month appealed and hopes a Bowling Review Group to be constituted by the ICC will clear Ahmed after some remedial measures by Nawaz.

 

Nawaz will start work with Ahmed from Thursday.

 

"I worked on his action in 2001 and told him a few things to improve his action. His finish style is slow and once it is improved, I am sure he will start bowling again without any problems," said Nawaz, who played 55 Tests for Pakistan.

 

Nawaz hoped to finish the job before January 16 when Ahmed is likely to appear before the review group at ICC headquarters in Dubai.

 

"I hope Ahmed will be able to play against India from the third Test. He has been an integral part of the Pakistan attack and we should not lose him," he said.

 

Under ICC regulations implemented in February last year, a bowler can straighten his elbow by up to 15 degrees at the time of delivery.

 

If a bowler transgress that limit he is immediately suspended and undergoes tests in a biomechanical laboratory. If still found bowling over the limits, the bowler is banned for 12 months.

 

Nawaz predicted Pakistan would win against India.

 

"Pakistan is in supreme form after beating England and their bowling attack is much superior to India, so I see Pakistan winning comfortably," he said.

 

India arrive in Lahore on Thursday to play three Tests and five one-day internationals, their second tour across the border in two years.

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)