Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez reported for suspect action

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has been reported for a suspect action for the third time in his career. The right-arm offie’s actions came under the scanner during the third One-Day International against Sri Lanka, in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday (October 18).

The former skipper has already been reported twice in the past for illegal action and was suspended from bowling in the past. Hafeez will be required to submit an independent analysis of his bowling action in the next two weeks. The offie will be allowed to bowl in the International circuit until the results are out.

If the all-rounder fails to pass the test, he will be banned from bowling until reports suggest that he submits an analysis that clears him of a wrongful action. “The match officials’ report, which was handed over to the Pakistan team management, cited concerns about the legality of the 37-year-old’s bowling action,” the ICC said in a statement.

Recurring Incident

Hafeez was first suspended from bowling in December 2014, after his action was found suspect during the Test against New Zealand in November 2014. The suspension stood nearly five months, and finally was cleared to bowl in April 2015, following a set of retests and remedial work.

However, it was not for a long time as the all-rounder found himself once again in hot water with his action reported in the Test against Sri Lanka. As this was his second suspension within 24 months, Hafeez was not cleared to bowl in international cricket for 12 months from July 2015.

The all-rounder was not allowed to bowl again in International cricket until the beginning of this year, where he found his bowling action correct by the ICC.

If the off-spinner’s action is found to be wrong after the assessment, he will not be allowed to bowl until he clears the test again. Unlike his second suspension, the 37-year-old won’t be barred for any specific time frame and hence can apply for a reassessment anytime as per his convenience.