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Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez is set to undergo re-testing on his
bowling action. Hafeez's ICC ban for an illegal action expired earlier this
month, meaning he is eligible for reassessment. He was suspended for 12 months
after twice being found to be over the limit for elbow extension by independent
assessors within a two-year period.
Hafeez, 35, is currently in England
as part of Pakistan's tour. Although a knee injury had delayed remedial work on
his action, Pakistan are hopeful that he will be able to undergo a re-test at
Loughborough after the completion of the second Test, in Manchester. His ban
expired on July 17.
"Final
decision on Mohammad Hafeez's test on his bowling action in the ICC-accredited
facility at Loughborough shall be taken in the next few days," team
manager, Intikhab Alam, said in a statement. "Since his recovery from the
injury in the right knee that he sustained during the ICC World T20, Hafeez has
recommenced remedial work on his bowling action.
"But
owing to the time lost due to injury as well as his concentration on batting
practice afterwards, Hafeez has not been able to devote adequate time to the
remedial work. In the last couple of weeks however he has resumed working on it
at the nets. Hafeez is confident that in the next few days he would be able to
present himself for the test."
Hafeez's problems with his bowling
action first arose in 2014,
while playing for Lahore Lions in the Champions League - although the sanction
did not apply in international cricket. He was reported again after the first Test against New
Zealand in Abu Dhabi, in November of the same year, and his action found to
exceed the permitted 15-degree limit. He returned in 2015, after being cleared
by a re-test, but was reported once more against Sri Lanka in Galle and
subsequently banned from bowling.
As per ICC regulations, if a player
who has been reassessed and cleared is reported a second time, within two years
of the date of commencement of the first suspension, he or she will then
receive a minimum suspension of one year, and can apply once more for
reassessment afterwards.
Speaking before the Old Trafford
Test, Pakistan's captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, said having Hafeez available to bowl
would help his side. Pakistan have been deploying a four-man attack, with only
Azhar Ali's part-time legspin to fall back on. "That could give us a big
advantage," Misbah said of Hafeez's potential bowling return, "if we
have him when the opposition have four or five left-handers."
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