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Akhtar's action questioned by umpires

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's action has been called into question by two Australian umpires, The Age newspaper reported today.

It said umpires Terry Prue and Ross Emerson had sent a videotape of the Pakistan bowler's action to the Australian Cricket Board (ACB). The tape was made during the tourists' one-day match against Western Australia in Perth last week.

ACB officials were not available for comment, but an ACB spokesman told The Age that no suspicions of throwing were raised in the written umpires' report from the match.

Emerson has been exiled from international umpiring since he called Sri Lankan offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing at the Adelaide Oval last season.

An angry Pakistan captain Wasim Akram defended his young pace bowler.

"It's more than clean, Shoaib's action,'' the skipper was quoted as saying in Brisbane where Pakistan is playing a four-day match against Queensland.

"He's the fastest bowler in the world. Do you mean all the referees all over the world who've cleared him can't see?

''Why, when opposition come here, do people have a go at them in such a way instead of praising the talent we have? Instead it's 'Oh god, he's the fastest bowler, he's going to get some wickets', and having a go at him in a negative way.

''People should admire that the Pakistan team is full of young talent. They should enjoy the cricket.''

Wasim said that after the Muralitharan incident last season, they had been expecting something similar. Akhtar, 24, is regarded as the fastest bowler in the world and has not had his action questioned before, The Age said.

He has played 10 Tests for his country, taking 28 wickets, and 26 one-day internationals.

Pakistan is scheduled to play the first of three Tests against Australia in Brisbane starting on Friday.

UNI