Mohammad Hafeez may face ban after Pakistan spinner's action is reported
Monday 22 June 2015 13:22, UK
Pakistan off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez may face a 12-month ban from bowling after the International Cricket Council revealed his action had been reported for the second time in seven months.
The umpires reported Hafeez following Pakistan's 10-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test Galle on Sunday.
"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," an ICC statement read.
Hafeez had been reported for a suspect action during the Abu Dhabi Test against New Zealand last November, but he was cleared to resume bowling in April after being tested at a bio-mechanics clinic in Chennai.
Since then he has bowled in nine international matches, in Bangladesh, at home against Zimbabwe and in Sri Lanka where he took two wickets in 20 overs in Galle.
Hafeez, who also opens the batting for Pakistan, must now undergo further testing within 14 days where, if his action is deemed illegal, he will be handed an automatic year-long ban from bowling for his country.
"As a result of this report he will now be required to submit to further testing within 14 days," the statement said.
"As it will constitute the player's second report within a two-year period... 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."
Hafeez can bowl until the test results are declared so he will be able to bowl in the remaining two Tests against Sri Lanka in Colombo (July 25-29) and Pallekele (July 3-7).
Hafeez, who made his international debut in 2003, has claimed 51 wickets in 43 Tests, 123 wickets in 161 one-dayers and 46 wickets in 62 Twenty20 matches.
