Islamabad: Pakistan paceman Shabbir Ahmed is all set to make a comeback to the international stage next month after the Pakistan Cricket Board said his bowling action had been cleared by Australian experts.


"As per the preliminary report by the University of Western Australia experts, the action of Shabbir has been found to be within the legitimate parameters" laid down by the International Cricket Council," PCB said.

"The detailed report is expected after about a week's time, subsequent to which the PCB will do the needful for getting Shabbir's clearance to represent Pakistan after his one-year ban finishes on December 18, 2006," a statement issued by PCB today said.

The 30-year-old Shabbir was the first international player to be banned for a year in December 2005 for having an illegal bowling action.

Under ICC regulations, a bowler can straighten his arm by 15 degrees at the time of delivery.

The development comes at a time when Pakistan cricket is trying to recover from the dope-bans to key bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif.

The duo have appealed against their bans but if these are turned down, Pakistan would need its other fast bowling options to deliver the goods during the World Cup in Caribbean in March-April next year.

Shabbir has taken 51 wickets in 10 Test matches and 33 scalps in 32 limited-overs games.