An independent Bowling Review Group (BRG) of the International Cricket Council on Saturday upheld Pakistan bowler Shabbir Ahmed's 12-month ban from international cricket.

The five-member BRG comprising delivered its decision to Ahmed and PCB Chief Executive Officer Salim Altaf shortly after the hearing at the ICC [Images] office in Dubai, an ICC statement said.

"We have decided that the Player had an illegal bowling action and that the suspension of the Player is to be maintained. This is (our) unanimous view," the BRG said.

"While it is clear that a laboratory test can never fully replicate match conditions, the Regulations provide for match conditions to be simulated as best as possible.

"We take the view that the laboratory test was carried out as fairly and properly as it should be."

The decision of the BRG is final and binding. Ahmed becomes the first player to be banned from bowling in international cricket for 12 months under the revised ICC bowling review regulations.

The hearing began with an introduction from the Chairman of the BRG, Sir Oliver Popplewell before the group was asked to consider video evidence and the match officials' report from the Multan Test in which Ahmed's action was reported.

Professor Bruce Elliott, who conducted the independent biomechanical assessment of Ahmed's action, then presented the findings of his report and responded to questions from Ahmed and the BRG.

Following this, the Pakistan Cricket Board produced its own evidence, including recent video footage of Ahmed bowling at the PCB Academy and in a domestic cricket match.

The members of the BRG then met privately to consider the matter before delivering their unanimous decision.