Under-scrutiny Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal will miss part of his side’s one-day series against Sri Lanka as he undergoes tests on his bowling action in Australia, said officials on Friday.
The 37-year-old, ranked number one in ODI and Pakistan’s main bowling weapon, had his action reported as suspect during the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle earlier this month.
Under International Cricket Council (ICC) rules, Ajmal is required to clear his action from an accredited biomechanics lab within 21 days of the report, but he is free to play until then.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed said Ajmal will have tests in Brisbane.
“Ajmal will be sent to Brisbane to undergo tests and a PCB official will go with him,” said Ahmed. “The team management is arranging for his travel from Sri Lanka.”
The Pakistan team will be hit hard if Ajmal is banned as they face tough series against Australia and New Zealand in the UAE from October to December.
Ajmal has so far taken 178 Tests and 182 one-day wickets. He is the leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 internationals with 85.
Utseya latest to have action reported
Zimbabwe all-rounder Prosper Utseya has become the fourth off-spinner to be reported for an illegal bowling action by the ICC in recent months as the governing body continued their crackdown on the issue.
The off-spinner’s action raised concerns during Zimbabwe’s seven-wicket loss in the third and final ODI against South Africa in Bulawayo on Thursday, said the ICC in a statement.
“The match officials’ report... cited concerns regarding Utseya’s arm ball and fast delivery, and concluded that the bowler’s action needed to be tested,” said the governing body.
The 29-year-old has to undergo testing within 21 days but can continue bowling in the triangular ODI series against Australia and South Africa, which starts on Monday.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2014.
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