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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will know sometime next week which deliveries of Shoaib Akhtar were infringing the laws when it receives footage from the game's controlling body.

The director of the PCB, Brig Munawwar Rana, said once the footage was made available, future line of action would be decided.

"We will evaluate and chalk out future strategy. Although Shoaib's case was in ICC's hand, we will take internal steps to help the pacer," Rana said.

Shoaib was cleared by the PCB bowling committee earlier this year after he was reported for the second time on the tour to New Zealand. The controversial paceman, who was first reported during the Perth Test in December 1999, was cleared on the report compiled by a Western Australian University.

The ICC last week confirmed to the PCB that match referee Denis Lindsay had raised suspicion on Shoaib Akhtar's bowling action. Lindsay was the ICC official at the Sharjah Cup.. However, the ICC didn't answer PCB's queries regarding which of his deliveries were under suspicion though previous reports against Shoaib or Shahid Afridi clarified which deliveries were under investigation.

"We will be provided footage of specific deliveries which are under question," the PCB official said.

PCB future line of action includes decision on whether it would secure the services of ICC's bowling advisor Michael Holding who has been nominated to help Shoaib.

The ICC, earlier this week, said it "cannot and would not" force Shoaib or PCB to utilize Holding's services. Nevertheless, the ICC has been stubborn in saying that cash- starved PCB will have to foot all the expenses of the West Indians visit.

Meanwhile, the PCB official said the establishment has agreed in principle not to discourage its players from playing club cricket anywhere.

He was reacting to reports appearing in Sydney that Shoaib Akhtar could be playing club cricket in Sydney next week.

Shoaib, 26, has agreed terms to play alongside Australian paceman Brett Lee for Mosman for six or seven games, Mosman general manager Barry Hyland was quoted as saying Friday.

Shoaib is said to leaving for Sydney late next week. "If Shoaib or any other players gets an opportunity to play club cricket outside Pakistan, we will be more than happy because it would help them polish their skills," Rana said.

He, nevertheless, clarified that Shoaib will have to make himself available for Pakistan's international commitments and also in case the PCB decides to hand him over to Holding.

"Whenever Shoaib makes programme to go abroad and play, his commitment and availability with respect to current situation regarding his bowling action and any possible commitment with Pakistan, will obviously be kept in mind," Rana said.

Pakistan board are planning to start a training camp in Lahore from Dec 1 for the tour to Bangladesh for which the team leaves Jan 2. Immediately after the Bangladesh tour for two Test and three one-day internationals, Pakistan are to face West Indies which is originally scheduled in Pakistan but may be played at a neutral venue if current situation in the region doesn't improve.

© Dawn