Pakistan's Shabbir Ahmed and Shoaib Malik have had their bowling actions reported to the ICC following the first Test against England. But both will be able to continue to bowl in the series, if the Pakistan Cricket Board continues to select them.
Off-spinner Malik and seam bowler Shabbir have been reported before and the latter was only cleared to resume bowling a month ago.
This time he will be suspended for a year if his action is deemed illegal.
Shabbir took five wickets in Pakistan's 22-run win over England in Multan while Malik took one wicket.
The International Cricket Council rules state it is illegal if bowlers flex their arms more than 15 degrees during delivery.
In respect of Shabbir, umpires Billy Bowden and Simon Taufel were satisfied his action was legal when he bowled in the nets and in the early part of the match.
But they noted a deterioration during the third day's play, when he took four wickets, and suspected his action may have become illegal.
"Shabbir's case is a bit complicated and the ICC will advise us in next 48 hours if he should continue to bowl in the series," said Salim Altaf, Pakistan's driector of cricket operations.
"The umpires have reported his action for several deliveries in the first Test."
 Shabbir took five wickets in the Multan Test |
Regarding Malik, the match officials were concerned they could see an extension in the elbow in some of his deliveries.
If Malik is found to be bowling illegally he will also be suspended from bowling in international cricket for a year but can apply to be re-assessed at any time during that period.
Shabbir, whose action was only cleared by the ICC on 18 October, would not be allowed to be re-assessed during the 12 months and would have to serve his full ban.
Match referee Roshan Mahanama said in a statement: "Both players have been reported in the past.
"While it has been shown that in laboratory conditions they are capable of bowling within the legal limits, the match officials had concerns with the actions they used during certain stages of this match when viewing their actions with the naked eye."
The bowlers will now undergo independent analysis by a member of the ICC's human movement specialists.
This will include looking at their bowling in laboratory conditions and the action used in a match situation.
The whole process will take five weeks meaning both bowlers could play in the entire series against England, although Pakistan could opt to use Malik simply as a batsmen.
But both could have their actions called again if the umpires are not satisfied they are legal.
MMIX
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The match officials had concerns with the actions they used during certain stages of this match when viewing their actions with the naked eye
