Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has been suspended from bowling with immediate effect after failing a bowling test to check his suspected bowling action.

The International Cricket Council announced on Thursday that the 37-year-old’s action was found to be illegal according to the rules after conducting an independent assessment.

The independent assessment revealed that the majority of Hafeez’s deliveries during the test exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the ICC regulations.

In accordance with Article 11.1 of the ICC Illegal Bowling Regulations, Hafeez’s international suspension will also be recognised and enforced by all National Cricket Federations for domestic cricket events played in their own jurisdiction. However, pursuant to Article 11.5 of the Regulations and with the consent of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Hafeez may be able to bowl in domestic cricket events played under the auspices of the PCB.

The veteran all-rounder was reported for a suspect action during the third ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the UAE last month following which he flew to England to get his actions assessed at the Loughborough University.

This is the second time in his career that Hafeez has been suspended from bowling in international cricket after he was reported for a second time in his career during 2015.

The Pakistan man had been suspended from bowling in international cricket a for a period of 12 months back then. After remedial work on his bowling action, Hafeez had been allowed to bowl again and had recently established himself as the No.1 all-rounder in the world in the ODI format.

Hafeez can apply for a re-assessment after modifying his bowling action in accordance with clause 4.5 of the Regulations.