Bowling clearance is Hafeez’s ticket to the Test team

‘All-rounder’ likely to regain long format berth for Australia tour if action is cleared

KARACHI: Former Pakistan T20I captain Mohammad Hafeez will undergo biomechanics bowling test at an International Cricket Council accredited laboratory in Brisbane, Australia on Thursday to clear his delivery action.

The 36-year-old will ascertain if he has found a fix for his illegal elbow flex that has kept him away from bowling for nearly 15 months – a bend of more than 15 degrees.

Hafeez’s bowling test is set to be pivotal for him as he hopes to make a return to the Test side for Pakistan’s tour of Australia next month.

The all-rounder, who endured a wretched tour of England with the bat, last appeared for Pakistan in the second ODI of the five-match series at Southampton’s Rose Bowl Stadium on August 24, where he was dismissed for just 11.

The Inzamamul Haq-led selection committee dropped the veteran opening batsman for the series against the West Indies before axing him for the New Zealand tour due to his poor batting form, but there’s a real likelihood of his return if he can regain the ‘all-rounder’ tag by clearing the bowling action test.

The Express Tribune has learned that Hafeez will become an automatic selection as an all-rounder since the team management is keen to have his experience for the potentially arduous tour of Australia where Pakistan play three Tests including the day-night first Test at the Gabba Stadium.

After Hafeez’s batting form dipped, Pakistan blooded Mohammad Nawaz in the all-rounder’s slot for the home series against the West Indies, but the southpaw failed to make a mark in the three-match series.

If cleared, Hafeez can return for the Australian tour as back-up opener for Sharjeel Khan and Sami Aslam, while Azhar Ali, who scored a monumental triple century in the day-night Test against West Indies last month is likely to be slotted in at number three spot, with Asad Shafiq returning to his prolific number six spot.

If Sharjeel fails to fire in New Zealand, Hafeez can be included in the playing 11 for the first Test against Australia, but for that he has to get past the sanction on his bowling first.