Clearing the ban: Hafeez off to Chennai

The all-rounder travels to India to have an unofficial test on his action

KARACHI: All-rounder Muhammad Hafeez will fly out to Chennai for informal testing on his bowling action in the early hours of Tuesday after a delay due to visa issues.

Hafeez, along with Saeed Ajmal, has been suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) due to an illegal bowling action.

The 34-year-old underwent official testing at the Loughborough University in England and the results revealed that the bowler’s flexion varied between 22 and 31 degrees in four overs of normal off-spin bowling and not his quicker one.

However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Illegal Bowling Action Committee members are hoping that Hafeez will clear his informal testing and ultimately the formal test as well.

“As far as Hafeez is concerned, we’re hopeful that he would be able to clear this informal test,” a member of the bowling action committee told The Express Tribune. “He is confident about his clearance.”

The all-rounder has been a key member of Pakistan’s one-day side for the last two years, contributing with both bat and ball. His suspension has weakened the balance of an inconsistent Pakistan side and Haris Sohail has had to take up the role of the fifth bowler with his part time left-arm spin.

But even as a batsman, Hafeez remains an integral part of the selectors’ plans, who want to include him as a specialist batsman.

“Hafeez will be included as a specialist batsman in the final 15-man squad for the World Cup and if he gets cleared, then he will bowl as well,” said a senior PCB official. “If the matter drags along a bit more and we’re close to the World Cup, then the PCB can ask the ICC to take his official test in Brisbane.”

 

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