Pakistani Fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed has been banned for one year by the ICC due to his illegal bowling action. Shabbir who had played the 1st Test against England at Multan recently was reported to the ICC by the Match Officials along with Shoaib Malik. Shoaib Malik however got the clearance. Shabbir was taken off from the Pakistan team following that Test Match. Independent tests carried out on his bowling action by the University of Western Australia confirmed that his action was illegal. Ahmed had been reported twice within two years for illegal bowling action and therefore has been given a one-year mandatory ban. According to the reports, Shabbir Ahmed is perfectly capable of bowling with a legal action but at times tends to bend his elbow for some particular deliveries or at some crucial junctures of the game. He has now become the first bowler in International Cricket to be banned from bowling for 12 months. The 29-year old Shabbir whose bowling reminds about the West Indian Great Joel Garner has played 10 Tests and 32 ODIs after beginning his International Career in 1999. Shabbir had taken 2 five wicket hauls in Tests and has a very good average of under 24.00 for his 51 wickets.