Cricket: Chucking shadow over another Pakistan bowler

As if the series defeat to New Zealand was not bad enough, Pakistan left for home with chucking allegations surrounding seam bowler Shabbir Ahmed.

Shabbir, who was reported for throwing in his first one-day international four years ago, was cited by umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Bowden following the fifth one-day international in Wellington.

The Herald understands the umpires requested video replays of his action after the match and that their views were forwarded to the International Cricket Council and the Pakistan team management.

Shabbir appeared particularly suspect in his first spell, when front-on television replays suggested a blatant snap in his elbow just on release, raising eyebrows throughout the Cake Tin.

Commentating on Sky Television at one point, former New Zealand player Gavin Larsen described Shabbirs action as "unusual," a description also favoured by Auckland coach Mark O'Donnell.

Video footage of Shabbir's entire bowling spell will be sent to the ICC, which is obliged to forward copies to the Pakistan board and to the suspected offender, so that remedial action can begin.

Shabbir will be allowed to continue playing during this stage. While exempt from being reported for a similar offence, he will be subject to being called by an umpire during a game.

The second stage of the process is effectively a suspended sentence, in that Shabbir could be banned for a year if he is reported again within 12 months of the original report.

It is the second consecutive occasion on which the Pakistan side have ended a one-day series in New Zealand amid allegations of throwing by their bowlers. Shoaib Akhtar was reported during the deciding match at Carisbrook in Dunedin two summers ago.