In a major setback to Pakistan cricket, all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez was on Friday banned from bowling in international cricket for 12 months after he failed an independent assessment of his suspect action.
The assessment was carried out at the Sri Ramachandra University in Chennai and the ICC said that Hafeez’s bowling action was found to be illegal.
The off-spinner, since being reported for a second time during the Test series against Sri lanka, had been expressing confidence that he would clear the test.
“It is a big setback for us and our future plans but mentally we were prepared for such an outcome,” chief selector Rasheed said.
“Hafeez’s off bowling has been a major part of our strategy in one-day internationals and T20 cricket and he has also been a more than able bowling option in Test matches,” Rasheed said.
“The ban on him bowling for 12-months means we now have to rethink our strategy for the next one year for ODIs and T20 cricket,” the former Test batsman said.
A ICC press release said that Hafeez, 34, was assessed after the legality of his bowling action came under question by the match officials during Pakistan’s first Test victory over Sri lanka in Galle (June 17-21).
It said the assessment in Chennai revealed that Hafeez’s elbow extension exceeded 15 degrees while bowling and, thus, he employed an illegal bowling action. Hafeez was originally suspended from bowling in November 2014.
Ali in the firing line
Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali’s captaincy tenure in one-day internationals might be shortlived if he is not able to inspire the national team to a series win over Sri lanka in the on-going five-match rubber.
The National selection committee and many others have not been impressed with Azhar s captaincy so far, particularly the way Pakistan squandered the opportunity to beat Sri lanka in the second one-day internationals, a well-informed source close to the national team and the selectors said on Friday.
Pakistan and Sri lanka are locked one all in the series which is a must win for the green shirts if they want to qualify for the 2017 Champions Trophy.
The source disclosed that the national selectors were having second thoughts about Azhar’s ability to build the ODI squad and make it more positive minded.
If Pakistan does not win the series in Sri lanka the selectors are likely to talk to the PCB Chairman and top officials and recommend the name of wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed to be given charge of the ODI squad, the source disclosed.