Sarfraz to work with Shabbir

Shabbir Ahmed will be assisted on his bowling style and wll undergo remedial exercises © Getty Images

Sarfraz Nawaz, the former Pakistan fast bowler, confirms that he will work with banned Shabbir Ahmed to remove a flaw in his bowling action that led to the International Cricket Council (ICC) sanction.

"Shabbir needs to improve the final moment of his arm when he releases the ball and once he succeeds in that, I'm sure the ban on him will be lifted," Sarfraz told AFP. "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'm sure he'll start bowling again without any problems."

The ICC banned the Ahmed, 29, from bowling in international cricket for 12 months because of an illegal action. Shabbir 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 (PCB) last month appealed and hoped a Bowling Review Group to be constituted by the ICC will clear Shabbir after some remedial measures by Sarfraz who will start work with Shabbir from Thursday. Sarfraz hoped to finish the job before January 16 when Shabbir is likely to appear before the review group at ICC headquarters in Dubai.

On the forthcoming India-Pakistan series, Sarfraz predicted Pakistan would win, saying: "Pakistan is in supreme form after beating England and their bowling attack is much superior to India, so I see Pakistan winning comfortably."