Pakistan spinner Bilal Asif cleared of suspect action

Sharjah: Pakistani off-spinner Bilal Asif's bowling action has been cleared after it was found to be within the legal limits, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Friday.

The bowling action of the 30-year-old spinner was reported as suspect during the third One-Day International against Zimbabwe at Harare on October 3.

He underwent a biomechanical test of his action in Chennai on October 19. "At the assessment (in Chennai), it was revealed that the amount of elbow extension in all of Asif's deliveries was well within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC regulations," an ICC release said.

Asif is set for his Test debut in the third and final Test match against England which starts in Sharjah on Sunday after pacer Imran Khan was ruled out with a hand injury.

He was included in the squad of 16 as a back-up for spinners Yasir Shah and Zulfiqar Babar. Pakistan lead the series 1-0.