Pakistan’s spinning all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez arrived in India yesterday in a bid to have his bowling action cleared in time for next year’s World Cup.
The 34-year-old’s action was reported as suspect during the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi last month and he was subsequently suspended after a bio-mechanical test found it was illegal.
Under International Cricket Council rules, bowlers are permitted to straighten their bowling arm by up to 15 degrees, which has been established as the point at which any straightening will become visible to the naked eye.
Hafeez’s elbow extension was found to be “well over 15 degrees” in an ICC report leading to his suspension.
It was a second blow for Pakistan after their ace spinner Saeed Ajmal was also sidelined over his illegal action in September.
Ajmal last week announced his withdrawal from the World Cup as his remedial work will not be completed before the January 7 deadline to announce a final 15-man squad for the event in Australia and New Zealand, which starts on February 14.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said Hafeez has worked with former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed.
“Hafeez’s action should be tested in an ICC accredited lab after his remedial work with coaches in Lahore. Therefore Hafeez is being sent to Chennai for an unofficial testing of his bowling action,” the PCB said.
If the unofficial test clears Hafeez then the PCB will apply for an official reassessment with the ICC, possibly by January 3.
Hafeez has 122 wickets in 153 one-days, as well as 4,456 runs and his dual role is important to the balance of Pakistan’s side in one-day internationals.
Captain Misbah-ul Haq has said Hafeez’s absence hurt the team and led to Pakistan’s 3-2 Test defeat against New Zealand in the UAE earlier this month.