Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez to be sent to Chennai for biometrics tests
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan has said off-spinners Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez will be sent to Chennai for biometrics tests in the imminent future. Ajmal was banned from bowling after all his deliveries were found to be exceeding the 15-degree limit.
Pakistan’s bowling armoury was further weakened when Hafeez’s deliveries were also found to going above the allowable limit. Consequently, he too was barred from bowling.
Addressing the media in Dubai, the veteran administrator said that the duo have applied for their visas to the Indian High commission in Dubai.
"As soon as they get their visas they will go to Chennai where there is an ICC accredited biomechanics laboratory," Khan said.
The PCB’s decision to send the two to Chennai has seemingly been influenced by the clearance given to Sri Lankan off-spinner spinner Sachithra Senanayake and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson to bowl in international cricket.
Saqlain Mushtaq, who has been working with Ajmal, has recently sounded optimistic about the 37-year-old resuming bowling in international cricket.
Hoping that they will return with corrected actions: Khan
The 80-year-old PCB chief added that the board is doing all they can to get the action of the two bowlers absolutely right before the 2015 ICC World Cup and was hopeful of getting fruitful results after the tests.
"Hopefully the results from Chennai will be positive for us but at same time both players have to play some domestic cricket to convince the bowling action review committee they are still effective with corrected actions," he added.
The decision to send the two to India came after consultations between the board and the Pakistan team management, who felt that there was no point in having Hafeez for the ongoing limited-overs series against New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
"Pakistan needs Hafeez to be bowling again as he is an important cog in the one-day side and vital to our chances in the World Cup," another official said.
A reliable source said that the board was more confident about Hafeez’s action getting cleared before the mega event, but were still apprehensive of Ajmal making the cut.