Cricket: Shabbir contemplates quitting following ban

Shabbir Ahmed. Picture / Reuters

Pakistani paceman Shabbir Ahmed is considering quitting after becoming the first bowler to be given a year's ban by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for an illegal action.

"It is disappointing and in such circumstances one is compelled to think about leaving the game altogether," Shabbir said.

Shabbir was reported for the second time during the first test against England last month. An independent assessment by the University of Western Australia confirmed he bowled with an illegal action and he was banned on Monday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to decide whether to appeal the decision, which it can do within 14 days of the ban being imposed.

"The PCB will decide whether to file the appeal or not but frankly speaking I am very disheartened because I have tried hard to remove any defects in my action and I have still not been cleared completely," said Shabbir.

He added he would meet with PCB officials today.

"The board knows better what to do, they will decide. For my part I don't know what next course of action to adopt," he said.

Shabbir, who has played 10 tests and 32 one-day internationals, was withdrawn from the England test and one-day series when his bowling action was queried.

He was also reported by ICC match officials in May after a first test against the West Indies.

The PCB said they were keen to help Shabbir to resolve the problem.

"We will meet to see what can be done about the appeal," PCB official Abbas Zaidi said.

"If we need to seek expert help from abroad to resolve his action it will be done. If he needs to be sent somewhere he will be sent to correct his action," he said

- AAP