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The International Cricket Council (ICC) Wednesday confirmed that Pakistan Under-19 pacer Junaid Zia was reported for a suspect bowling action during the ICC Youth World Cup in New Zealand.

David Clarke of ICC, in an e-mail to Dawn, said: "I can confirm that Junaid Zia of the Pakistan Under-19 team was reported as having a suspect bowling action on four occasions."

Junaid played in all the six matches in the tournament and finished as pick of Pakistan bowlers with 13 wickets. Pakistan failed to reach the semifinals.

The ICC said the matter had been referred to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

"As the ICC provisions in this area do not extend to players such as this, the matter has been referred back to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as the responsible authority," Clarke said.

PCB director Brig Munawwar Rana said from Lahore that he had been verbally informed by the ICC during his tour to New Zealand that Junaid had been reported. He added that the official report was expected late Wednesday evening.

"I don't know the details of the report but yes, certain deliveries are under question," he said.

Junaid is the fifth Pakistan bowler to have been reported for a suspect bowling action in three years. Previously, Shoaib Akhtar, Shabbir Ahmad, Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik were cited before being cleared to play international cricket.

Munawwar said Junaid will work with PCB bowling advisors before the establishment has another look at him. "The PCB will clear Junaid after it is convinced that he has sorted out his problems."

Pakistan coach Haroon Rasheed was short of words when reached for his comments.

"It is a surprise because if the words of ICC are to be believed that he was reported on four occasions, then Junaid should not have been allowed to continue to play throughout the tournament," he said.

Haroon maintained that Junaid bowled under the same umpires and match referees who neither called him nor conveyed their reservations to the team management. He, however, admitted that Zimbabwe match referee Don Arnott did inform him regarding Junaid's action. "But all he said was that he had a problem at run-up and follow through. He had also pointed out that Junaid's arm should come straight from top. But at no stage he said he would report Junaid's bowling action," he said.

Haroon said he worked with Junaid at nets and tried to rectify the mistakes that were pointed out by the experts. "When the official report comes, we will work on those specific deliveries that are under suspicion."

© Dawn