ICC clips panel8217;s powers

Pakistan8217;s Shoaib Akhtar can play in One-day matches against Sri Lanka, the ICC said, and a decision on whether his action had been rectified would be taken before the first Test on February 26.

The decision was made at a two-day meeting of the ICC executive board here, ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya said at a press conference. Dalmiya said the decision to suspend the power to ban a player was taken in view of 8220;wide-ranging legal ramifications that need to be considered8221;.

With specific reference to Akhtar, Dalmiya said: 8220;The Pakistan Cricket Board will report to the panel about the remedial measures on the bowler8217;saction. The panel will then consider the report and, if necessary, fresh video tapes before deciding on any further course of action.8221;

He said Akhtar will be free to play, if selected, in the One-day matches against Sri Lanka starting February 13. 8220;Since the problem with Akhtar8217;s action was only with regard to short-pitched deliveries, we in the ICC feel that the advisory panel will be able to take a decision before the scheduled start of the first Test match against the Sri Lankans on February 26,8221; said the ICC president.

Akhtar is banned from playing Tests at present. Dalmiya said the Pakistan board had already reported considerable progress in removing the kinks in Akhtar8217;s action.

The ICC chief explained that the advisory panel8217;s power to ban a player has been revoked 8220;until such time as there has been a full review by ICC of that power and related procedures8221;.

He said no time-frame had been set by the executive board for the review.