Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal suspended from bowling by ICC following analysis in Brisbane

Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has been suspended from bowling with immediate effect by the International Cricket Council after he was found to have an illegal bowling action.

A statement on Tuesday confirmed that all 15 of Ajmal’s deliveries were deemed illegal during analysis by the ICC’s accredited team of Human Movement Specialists at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane on August 25.

"An independent analysis has found the bowling action of Pakistan's off-spinner Saeed Ajmal to be illegal and, as such, the player has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect," an ICC release said. "The analysis revealed that all his deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations."

The Pakistan Cricket Board originally stated its intention to appeal the decision but later seemed to backtrack on that position.

"The PCB is contemplating its future course of action, weighing all options," the PCB, who have 14 days to launch an appeal, said in a statement.

Ajmal believes he can overturn the ban based on medical grounds, having said previously that the bend in his arm is the result of an accident.

"My elbow is not usual so that's why it seems that I bend it more than the normal 15 degrees allowed. We will go into appeal soon," he said.        

Resolve      

"I will be in action in the World Cup next year, that's my resolve."

Ajmal was reported for his action in 2009 while bowling the doosra during the one-day international series against Australia but was cleared by the ICC after tests.

However, there was to be no reprieve this time around for the world's No 1 ranked bowler in one-day internationals, who is the third cricketer to receive an international bowling ban for an illegal action in recent months, with New Zealand's Kane Williamson and Sri Lanka's Sachithra Senanayake suspended in July.

Ajmal's suspension is a big blow to Pakistan's plans for next year's World Cup, which begins in Australia and New Zealand from February 14.

The 36-year-old, who was reported after the first Test against Sri Lanka in August, has taken 183 wickets in 111 one-day internationals and 178 wickets in 35 Test matches. He can apply for a re-assessment after he modifies his bowling action.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has offered to assist Ajmal re-model his action if he is needed.

"I will help and support saeed ajmal to the best of my ability if required," Mushtaq, who took 208 wickets in 49 Tests, said on Twitter.