Pakistan's Bilal Asif is available to play against England

Pakistani off-spinner Bilal Asif is free to make his Test debut against England after his action was cleared in International Cricket Council testing.

Bilal went through ICC testing protocols in Chennai after his action was reported in the third one-day international during Pakistan's short tour of Zimbabwe at the start of this month.

He would have been free to play against England while the results of the tests were awaited, but the 30-year-old was not required.

Bilal is an option for the hosts in the third and final Test in Sharjah, which starts on Sunday, after seamer Imran Khan split the webbing on his bowling hand.

Imran has had stitches and will be unavailable, with fellow pace bowler Rahat Ali his most likely replacement, but Bilal is a possible inclusion should Pakistan choose an extra spinner at a venue where they have thrived in the past.

The hosts currently lead the series with England 1-0 with one Test to play.

"The ICC today confirmed that the bowling action of Pakistan's Bilal Asif has been found to be legal, and the player can continue bowling in international cricket," a press release from the world governing body read.

"At the assessment, it was revealed that the amount of elbow extension in all of his deliveries was well within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC regulations."

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