Shoaib's action to be analysed by Aussie experts

By Rizwan Ehsan Ali

ISLAMABAD, MARCH 20. Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar insisted late Monday night that there was absolutely nothing wrong with his bowling action. The Rawalpindi Express left for Australia for a three-dimensional analysis of his suspected bowling action at the Western Australian University.

Akhtar, whose bowling action was questioned during Pakistan's defeat in the decisive one-day International against New Zealand last month, will spend around 10 days under the watchful eyes of Dr. Daryl Foster. Australian legendary fast bowler Dennis Lillee would also analyse his suspected bowling action.

``I had no problems with my bowling action before and there is absolutely no problem with it even now. I am going to Australia for a bio-mechanical analysis and will be on the cricket field pretty soon,'' the 25-year-old speedster said.

Akhtar said that he was completely fit when he was flown back to Pakistan ahead of the three-Test series against New Zealand. ``I have no fitness problems. After New Zealand umpires (Dough Cowie and Steve Dunne) raised objections on my bowling action at Dunedin, I was pulled out from the tour,'' he said.

So sure was the speedster about getting clearance from the Australian experts, that he said he wanted to play in the triangular series in Sharjah, next month. ``Yes, I am pretty much confident to get required clearance from the experts in Australia which would satisfy the International Cricket Council. I am looking forward to the triangular series in Sharjah and also the tour of England in May,'' he added.

Meanwhile, a three-member review committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board has demanded for clear footage of Shoaib Akhtar's bowling action from the ICC. The footage which was seen by the Committee Members is not clear as it does not provide different angles.

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Section  : Sport
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