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Former captain Wasim Akram Wednesday put his weight behind controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar who was again reported for suspect bowling action.

"As far as I am concerned, it is a non-issue. Shoaib has twice been cleared by the ICC and its bowling committee.

"The officials would be well advised to let the young man play cricket rather than tease him by raising the issue time and again," Wasim said hours before he was due to leave for Hong Kong for the sixes cricket.

Wasim said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already submitted a detailed report on Shoaib's body "which clearly indicate that he has a deformation in his bowling arm. Besides, the boy has a more flexible body than most of us."

Wasim said had he not been restricted by the code of conduct, he would have named several bowlers whose actions are suspected.

"I am a fast bowler and I don't think there is anymore more qualified than me to judge which bowler's action is dubious. And I can say with conviction that there are bowlers today who throw. But there is no point in mudslinging.

"Shoaib is a phenomenal bowler and was at his best in Sharjah. He had found his rhythm and was, therefore, effective. Frankly speaking he is in trouble because not many batsmen like to face as fast a bowler as Shoaib."

© Dawn