Hafeez is in danger of being slapped with a one-year ban if he does not clear his action in the test within the next 14 days. PHOTO: AFP
The Match Officials’ Report, which was handed over to the Pakistan management, cited concerns about the legality of the 34-year-old’s bowling action during the course of the match.
This is not the first time that the off-spinner’s action has been questioned. Hafeez was suspended from bowling in November 2014. Following remedial work on his bowling action, he was reassessed and permitted to resume bowling in April.
As a result of this report, he will now be required to appear for further testing within 14 days. During this period, Hafeez can continue bowling in international cricket until the test results come back.
As this report is the player’s second within a two-year period, the first of which led to a suspension, should the second independent assessment also determine that he bowls with an illegal action, he will automatically be suspended from bowling in international cricket for a 12-month period.
The Pakistan Cricket Board is yet to decide upon the testing venue for Hafeez but it is expected that he will once again appear in Chennai.
Pakistan have already missed Saeed Ajmal because of the new rulings in bowling action after he lost all effectiveness with his remodelled action and struggled during his comeback against Bangladesh.
Ajmal was then overlooked for the home series against Zimbabwe and the ongoing tour of Sri Lanka. The 37-year-old off-spinner is playing in England as he attempts to resurrect his international career.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 23rd, 2015.
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