Suspect bowling action?: Ajmal may miss ODI series against Sri Lanka

Pakistan off-spinner to get tested at ICC laboratory within three weeks.

Pakistan are likely to play their ODI series against Sri Lanka without Saeed Ajmal, as the spinner needs to get his suspect bowling action cleared within three weeks.

Ajmal, whose action was reported by match officials at the end of the Galle Test on Sunday, has to undergo tests in an International Cricket Council-sanctioned laboratory before the end of August.

The tests are expected to be conducted in England, and Ajmal has the option of either travelling after the conclusion of the second Test against Sri Lanka (likely to end on August 18) or to sit out the ODIs.

Pakistan are scheduled to take on the Islanders for a three-match one-day series that starts in Hambantota on August 23. The series ends on August 30 with a match in Dambulla.

An official close to the matter told The Express Tribune that Ajmal is likely to miss out on the ODIs.

“Since Ajmal is going to play the second Test in Colombo, he would be left with only a handful of days to complete his testing,” he said.

“At this moment, he is likely to miss the ODIs and travel for the tests on his action immediately after the Colombo Test ends. His chances of playing the ODIs appear thin, but his participation for any of the three games can’t be ruled out.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13^th, 2014.

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