Hafeez reported again for suspect bowling action

Pakistan all-rounder’s action came under suspicion during third ODI against Sri Lanka

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, who is currently a part of the ODI squad leading the five-match series 3-0 against Sri Lanka, has been reported for a suspect bowling action once again.

Hafeez was reported during the third ODI, which Pakistan won by seven wickets courtesy Hasan Ali’s five-for and left-handed opener Imamul Haq’s century on debut.

“The match officials’ report, which was handed over to the Pakistan team management, cited concerns about the legality of the 37-year-old’s bowling action,” read an ICC press release.

The press release further said: “Hafeez’s bowling action will now be scrutinised further under the ICC Illegal Bowling Regulations. He is required to undergo testing within 14 days, and, during this period, Hafeez is permitted to continue bowling in international cricket until the results of the assessments are known.”

Hafeez was, for the first time in his career, suspended from bowling in December 2014 after his reports suggested that he had a bend of more than 15 degrees in his hand while delivering the ball.

He was permitted to resume bowling in April 2015 following an independent reassessment where his action was found to be legal.

Hafeez was suspended for a second time after an independent assessment revealed that he had employed an illegal bowling action after being reported in the Galle Test in June 2015. As this was his second suspension within 24 months of the initial suspension in December 2014, he was suspended from bowling in international cricket for 12 months from July 2015.

On 17 November 2016, Hafeez underwent reassessment of his bowling action at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane and was allowed to resume bowling after his action was found to be legal.