Shabbir's action was reported twice in 2005

The 29-year-old is the first bowler to receive a 12-month suspension after his action was reported twice in 2005.

A bowling review group including ICC match referee Roshan Mahanama made a unanimous decision to uphold the ban.

"After seeing the strong support of the Pakistan board and my team mates I have decided I will fight on," Shabbir said.

Shabbir's unorthodox bowling style has been reported a total of four times since his international debut in 1999.

"A year is a long time but hopefully if the board can review my action again before the start of the next season I am confident it will be cleared," he said.

No further appeals can be made by Shabbir, but PCB director of cricket operations, Saleem Altaf, hinted at legal action and said: "We will continue to support him and there is still quite a bit of cricket left in him.

"We had asked the bowling review group to see his action in three months time instead of keeping him out of the game, but from what I understand, the panel does not have powers to lift or reduce the ban."

Former India fast bowler Javagal Srinath was also on the appeal panel, who said on announcing their decision last week: "We have decided that the player had an illegal action and that the suspension is to be maintained.

"While it is clear that a laboratory test can never fully replicate match conditions the regulations provide for match conditions to be simulated as best as possible.

"We take the view that the laboratory test was carried out as fairly and properly as it should be."

The experts must have their reasons for upholding the ban but we are not going to give up on him Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman

Shabbir has played 10 Tests and 32 one-day internationals, with best figures of 5-48.

He was reported and suspended early last year but returned to the international scene after remedial work and analysis showed he had made the necessary adjustments.

The rangy 6ft 5 seamer returned to face England in November but was reported for the second time in Multan.

Video evidence from that Test was analysed by the ICC's bowling review group, who then heard reports from match officials.

Shabbir's defence is thought to have been that he has only been reported for a few deliveries, such as the short-pitched ball and off-cutter, so corrections could be made.