Hafeez clears air over ‘bowling with illegal action’ reports

Published September 12, 2015
Reports claim that Hafeez was bowling in the National T20 Cup with illegal action. — AFP/File
Reports claim that Hafeez was bowling in the National T20 Cup with illegal action. — AFP/File

Pakistan allrounder Mohammad Hafeez on Saturday took to social media to dismiss reports that he had been bowling in the National T20 Cup without remedying his action.

In a tweet that he posted, Hafeez said he had been working on bettering his bowling action with the help of coaches at the National Cricket Academy for the past nine months.

Earlier, a report by cricinfo.com claimed that the 34-year-old has not worked to correct his action since it was declared illegal by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in July.

Hafeez, who has represented Pakistan in 44 Tests, 166 ODIs and 64 T20Is, was initially reported after the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi in November 2014 and was subsequently banned after an independent analysis found his action to be illegal.

According to the independent analysis, Hafeez's elbow extension exceeded 15 degrees while bowling.

He was cleared to bowl in April after changing his action but the part-time off-spinner was again reported by match officials for a suspect action during Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in July this year.

Following the verdict, the sport’s governing body had handed over the allrounder a suspension of 12 months from bowling at international level. He was allowed to bowl in domestic matches, though, with permission of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“A bowler suspended in international cricket can bowl in domestic cricket with the permission of his home board,” an ICC official was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

“The logic behind this provision is to allow the home board and the player concerned the opportunity to monitor improvement in his bowling action in a match situation, and when happy, apply for reassessment.”

The PCB claims to be carefully monitoring Hafeez’s bowling action.

“It’s not like we are being lenient with him. The umpires can still report him if they suspect anything wrong in his action,” Intikhab Alam, director of domestic cricket, told Cricinfo.

“Since this ongoing tournament is being televised, it’s the best opportunity for us to monitor him closely. If he is reported at this level as well then he will be suspended for another three months.”

Hafeez won’t be able to apply for reassessment before completing his 12-month suspension.

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...