Embattled Hafeez undergoes rigorous testing at Chennai lab

Published July 7, 2015
Mohammad Hafeez faces a one-year bowling ban if he fails to clear his test.— 2013 AFP
Mohammad Hafeez faces a one-year bowling ban if he fails to clear his test.— 2013 AFP

Pakistan's embattled all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez underwent rigorous testing on his bowling action at the International Cricket Council-accredited Sri Ramachandra Sports Medicine centre in Chennai India on Monday.

Hafeez was reported for a suspect bowling action for a second time after Pakistan's dominating 10-wicket victory against Sri Lanka in the first Test at the end of June.

The 34-year-old's action was first reported in November last year after the first Test match against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi, with the all-rounder failing to pass two unofficial bio-mechanics tests after that.

According to ICC rules, since this is the second time he has been reported in a year, if his action is found illegal, the offspinner could face a one-year bowling ban. An official of the biomechanics lab in Chennai, quoted by Times of India, sounded the alarm bells for Hafeez, saying it was ‘extremely difficult’ for a bowler to remodel his action completely.

“Unlike other international bowlers like Sunil Naraine and the rest, Hafeez is more of an orthodox offspinner and there are not many variations in his bowling methods. He does not have a doosra. But it took some long time in the processes of testing Hafeez today,” the official said.

“We will be finding whether he has bowled in the same intensity with same action, same revolution and same speed while we screen and analyse the clippings. We will be measuring all those critical clippings before we send our report to the ICC and Pakistan cricket board,” he added.

Hafeez, who made his international debut in 2003, has claimed 51 wickets in 43 Tests, 123 wickets in 161 one-dayers and 46 wickets in 62 Twenty20 matches.

Editorial

Ominous demands
Updated 18 May, 2024

Ominous demands

The federal government needs to boost its revenues to reduce future borrowing and pay back its existing debt.
Property leaks
18 May, 2024

Property leaks

THE leaked Dubai property data reported on by media organisations around the world earlier this week seems to have...
Heat warnings
18 May, 2024

Heat warnings

STARTING next week, the country must brace for brutal heatwaves. The NDMA warns of severe conditions with...
Dangerous law
Updated 17 May, 2024

Dangerous law

It must remember that the same law can be weaponised against it one day, just as Peca was when the PTI took power.
Uncalled for pressure
17 May, 2024

Uncalled for pressure

THE recent press conferences by Senators Faisal Vawda and Talal Chaudhry, where they demanded evidence from judges...
KP tussle
17 May, 2024

KP tussle

THE growing war of words between KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi is affecting...