One is surprised over the reported suspect bowling action of Shabbir Ahmed and Shoaib Malik by the ICC umpires and Test match referee. Pakistan will be weakened by the absence of Shabbir, a lanky medium pacer who usually keeps tight line and length and sends shooters to trouble the batsmen.
Shabbir was recently cleared by the International Cricket Council after his follow-through and action were set right by West Indies famed seamer, Michael Holding.
In the Multan Test he had sent pavilionward stand-in captain of England Trescothick with a ball that kept low and shot in to bowl the left-hand opener. That started the collapse of the visitors' batting-line.
Who will replace Shabbir if a red signal comes from Lord's? Will it be Umar Gul or Mohammad Asif, both doing well in domestic cricket?
It will be a great loss to the Pakistan squad now that they are getting ready to face England in another Test at Faisalabad.
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