Hafeez dismisses reports of ‘bowling with illegal action’

Earlier, reports said Hafeez is bowling in Haier Mobile T20 Cup without undergoing any remedial measures to his action

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, who has been banned from bowling in international cricket for one year by the International Cricket Council (ICC), dismissed on Saturday reports that he had been bowling in the National T20 Cup without remedying his action.

“Been working on my bowling action from the last 9 months in NCA with coaches & analysts..Inshaa Allah will come back SOON in action..,” he tweeted on Saturday.

Been working on my bowling action from the last 9 months in NCA with coaches & analysts..In shaa Allah wil come back SOON in Action..

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) September 12, 2015

Earlier, ESPN Cricinfo reported Hafeez was bowling in the Haier Mobile T20 Cup without having undergone any remedial measures to his action.

Bowlers banned from international cricket for suspect actions can bowl in domestic cricket if their home boards allow, but it is unusual for them to do so without any attempt at correction.

He termed the news as “irresponsible reporting.”

Irresponsible reporting is at its best @kalson @ESPNcricinfo ..not sure from where it come from.. ????

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) September 12, 2015

Hafeez was first pulled up for suspect action in November 2014, then made the necessary changes and was cleared by the ICC in April 2015. However, he was back under scrutiny two months later and when tests revealed his elbow extended beyond the permissible 15 degrees, the ICC banned him for 12 months.

Read: Muhammad Hafeez bowls with illegal action legally

He cannot approach the ICC for a retest of his bowling action until the completion of his suspension, so at present there is no conclusive way to determine if he is bowling with his old action or a changed one.

According to ICC policy on illegal bowling actions, the board concerned shall formulate and implement a strategy to deal with players with illegal bowling actions in domestic cricket.

As per ICC rules, a bowler can have maximum elbow extension or flex - the amount he bends and straightens his elbow while delivering the ball - of 15 degrees; anything more, and the action is deemed to be illegal.