Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal to have bowling action re-tested ahead of World Cup
Tuesday 2 December 2014 13:28, UK
Pakistan are seeking a reassessment of Saeed Ajmal's bowling action in a bid to clear the off-spinner before next year's World Cup.
Ajmal was suspended from bowling at international level after a bio-mechanical analysis of his action reported it as suspect during the Galle Test against Sri Lanka in August.
Ajmal, who has 183 ODI and 178 Test wickets, missed the 2-0 Test series win over Australia and 1-1 draw with New Zealand as left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar and leg spinner Yasir Shah came to the fore.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement: "We have sent an email to the ICC for Ajmal's official bowling reassessment and are waiting for a date."
Under the ICC rules bowlers are allowed to extend their elbow by 15 degrees, beyond which an action is deemed illegal. Ajmal's assessment in Australia showed his extension was nearly 43 degrees.
After remedial work, he has undergone two unofficial tests at Loughborough University and PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan is now confident he will pass the ICC test.
"Ajmal called me from London after his unofficial tests and showed confidence that he will get cleared," said Khan.
If he does pass, Ajmal will be allowed to resume his international career instantly, but risks a one-year ban if he is found again to be in breach within two years of the first report.
