Mohammad Hafeez suspended from bowling in international cricket
Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect by the ICC, after his action was found illegal in an independent assessment.
Hafeez was reported with a suspect action during the ODI series against Sri Lanka in October at Abu Dhabi, and had to undergo an assessment at the Loughborough University in Leicestershire on November 1.
The assessment showed that most of his deliveries were exceeding the stipulated 15 degrees level of tolerance
As stated in a media release by the ICC, ‘In accordance with Article 11.1 of the ICC Illegal Bowling Regulations, Hafeez’s international suspension will also be recognised and enforced by all National Cricket Federations for domestic cricket events played in their own jurisdiction. However, pursuant to Article 11.5 of the Regulations and with the consent of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Hafeez may be able to bowl in domestic cricket events played under the auspices of the PCB’.
This is the third instance when the 37-year-old has been suspended from bowling at the topmost level. In November 2014 and June 2015, his bowling action was found to be illegal by the ICC, despite having remodelled it.
Ranked as the top all-rounder in the ICC rankings in the T20 format in 2012-13, Hafeez has previously served as the captain of the national side in the shortest format.
In December 2014, Hafeez's bowling action was found to be illegal, and he had to undergo remedial work in Loughborough. At one time, his elbow extension was found to be as much as 31 degrees, forcing him to undergo modifications in a biomechanics lab in Chennai.
Following a second suspension, Hafeez was banned from bowling in international cricket for 12 months, a penalty imposed by the ICC on players who have been reprimanded twice in 24 months.
Under clause 4.5 of the regulations, Hafeez can apply for a re-assessment after modifying his action.