LAHORE: Pakistan’s key off-spinner Saeed Ajmal won’t be able to feature in the upcoming World Cup. His failure to meet ICC standardized arm-bend to 15 degrees has forced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to send only senior all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez to Chennai next week to appear before a bio-mechanic lab to get clearance regarding his illegal bowling action.

Despite Ajmal rigorous training under the supervision of former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, the off-spinner is still faced with problems preventing him from completely remodelling his bowling action.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan while talking to reporters here on Saturday disclosed that Ajmal had decided not to feature in the World Cup while stating that the off-spinner would make an official announcement regarding his withdrawal from the World Cup in a couple of days.

He said though Ajmal did his best to bring his remodelled bowling action at par with ICC rules, he was not satisfied with his efforts. Therefore, the chairman said, Ajmal won’t go to India along with batting all-rounder Hafeez.

Previously, it was decided by the PCB that both Ajmal and Hafeez would appear before the bio-mechanic lab in Chennai.

Also, the PCB earlier in the day issued a press release signalling Ajmal’s induction into the World Cup squad, but later in the evening the chairman disclosed Ajmal’s real position.

The PCB release stated: “A meeting was held here today at the Gaddafi Stadium between PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, Executive Committee chairman Najam Sethi, PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed, chief selector Moin Khan, Mohammad Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq and Saeed Ajmal.

“The group discussed future course of action to be adopted with regard to Ajmal and Hafeez and agreed that in the case of Ajmal, further remedial work should continue in collaboration with Saqlain and a bio mechanist in Lahore. The meeting was informed that significant progress was made by Ajmal who is now working on completing his ‘mileage’ with the remodelled action which shall soon be accomplished. The PCB fully supports Ajmal in his attempt to regularise his action.

“It was noted that Saqlain and Mushtaq Ahmed have both worked with Hafeez and his action should now be tested in an ICC accredited lab. Therefore, Hafeez is being sent to Chennai next week for an unofficial testing of his bowling action.”

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2014