Hafeez returning to Pakistan to work on action

The off-spinner will have to undergo testing soon

KARACHI: All-rounder Muhammad Hafeez will travel back to Pakistan after being ruled out of the ongoing second Test against New Zealand and is now also expected to miss the third match, which will be played from November 26 in Sharjah.

While Hafeez was not included in the playing eleven due to fitness issues, the team management was also unwilling to risk him with his action already under question after the first Test.

Hafeez underwent some remedial work at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) before departing for the successive series against Australia and New Zealand.

Saeed Ajmal is already banned by the International Cricket Council for an illegal bowling action and Pakistan will be keen to avoid losing another bowler.

“Hafeez will be returning to Pakistan so that work can be done on his action before he is sent for official testing,” said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan.

The off-spinner is expected to fly back home at the end of the second Test and will be working in NCA before departing for the testing.

“We don’t feel there is a big issue with Hafeez’s action as only four of his balls were under question,” NCA head coach and co-selector Muhammad Akram told The Express Tribune. “If any remedial work is required on his action, which I don’t think it is, then that would be done after his official testing.”

Akram further added that the selection committee is not looking to send any replacement for Muhammad Hafeez unless a need arises to do so at the end of the second Test. “So far the team is doing well and we don’t feel the need to send replacements,” said Akram. “We’ve got just one Test after this and then we’ll be announcing the T20 and ODI squads so we aren’t thinking about sending any replacement unless a dramatic need arises.”

Hafeez had just hit the purple patch with the bat before he was hit by injury, scoring 96 and 101 in two innings while also picked up a wicket in each innings.

 

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