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Malik undergoes operation on heels
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTSKARACHI, Pakistan -- Pakistani all-rounder Shoaib Malik has had surgery on his heels in order to be fit and available for next month's series against India. Malik, a member of Pakistan's Test and one-day teams against England in the recent home series, underwent the operation after complaining of acute pain due to corns. "Doctors advised him to go for the surgery as he would not have been able to carry on against India in the same condition," said a spokesman. Malik said: "I was facing a lot of pain batting and bowling because I had to put weight on my heels. Doctors say I can now resume playing after a week's rest. "The series against India is very important for me and after a satisfactory series won against England I am looking forward to cementing my place in the side," he said. The 23-year-old was cleared earlier this month of a suspect bowling action after undergoing tests at the University of Western Australia in Perth. Malik, who opened the batting in the 2-0 Test series win over England, has played in 12 Tests and 107 one-day internationals. Pakistan won the one-day series 3-2. The Indian team is scheduled to reach Pakistan on January 6 to play three Tests and five one-dayers. Pakistan confident over appealMeanwhile, Pakistan are confident they can get paceman Shabbir Ahmed's one-year suspension overturned after filing an appeal with the International Cricket Council. "The appeal has been filed behalf of Shabbir," said Pakistan Cricket Board's director of operations Saleem Altaf. "The ICC will now inform us about the date for hearing his appeal and I will be accompanying (Shabbir) as a representative of the board as per rules allowed by the ICC," Altaf added. The Pakistani paceman became the first bowler to be banned for one year because of an illegal bowling action after he was reported twice in the last seven months by ICC match officials. Shabbir was suspended on Monday after an independent assessment of his action carried out by the University of Western Australia confirmed he had an illegal action. Altaf said Shabbir, who has taken 51 wickets in 10 Tests and 33 in 32 one-dayers, stood no chance of being available for next month's home series against India. "We feel we have a strong case to appeal the ban but even if the ICC upholds our appeal I think Shabbir will still have to undergo a rehabilitation process," he said. He said the PCB had sought the help of Australian fast bowling coach Daryl Foster in pleading Shabbir's case. Foster had made the point that the bowler was only violating the ICC tolerance level of 15 degrees allowed to bowlers to extend their elbow on a few deliveries. Altaf said even if the appeal was not successful the board would continue to support Shabbir, who has considered quitting the game, and try to rehabilitate his career. 
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