Murali is the world's leading wicket-taker

Ebrahim said he received a surprise orthodox leg-break from Muralitharan on the first day of the second Test.

He commented afterwards: "That was the first legal delivery he bowled, that's my personal opinion."

Match referee Mike Procter found Ebrahim guilty of bringing the game into disrepute at a hearing on Sunday.

Ebrahim, whose 22 caps make him one of the most experienced players in the current Zimbabwe squad, will miss the first Test against Australia, which starts in Harare on Saturday.

We have plenty of scientific data, and we will be taking this up with the ICC Mohan de Silva Sri Lanka Cricket president

Muralitharan became the most successful wicket-taker in history earlier this month when he clinched his 520th scalp.

The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka has become involved in the row and is threatening to sue the International Cricket Council.

Mahinda Rajapakse is set to challenge in court the ICC's decision to ban the spinner's new delivery after it was declared illegal by bio-mechanics.

The PM's media secretary Rohan Welivita said: "The prime minister is going to take legal action against the decision.

"He thinks that all Sri Lankans need to support Muralitharan because he is a national figure."

The president of Sri Lanka Cricket, Mohan de Silva, confirmed that the board had asked Muralitharan not to bowl the doosra, and said it would pursue the issue with the ICC.

"We have to respect the ICC protocols and we have advised him to refrain from bowling the doosra until we are clear on this matter," De Silva said.

"We have plenty of scientific data, and we will be taking this up with the ICC."