LONDON: Pakistan quick Mohammad Hasnain has signed to play for Oval Invincibles in the Hundred, it was announced Thursday, having just had his bowling action cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Hasnain is one of the tournament’s new ‘wildcard’ signings, with teams being granted a fourth overseas slot in their squads during the second season of the pioneering 100 balls per side event.
‘Wildcards’ in the men’s draw will be paid 50,000 ($63,000), with their female equivalents earning 15,000 ($19,000) in a competition where eight specially created sides, rather than the traditional 18 English first-class counties, field both men’s and women’s teams.
Hasnain, now 22, was banned from bowling internationally in January after his action was reported during a stint with Sydney Thunder in Australia’s domestic Twenty20 Big Bash League.
Under ICC rules, an illegal bowling action is one in which the bowler’s elbow extension exceeds 15 degrees.
Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques accused Hasnain of “chucking” during a Big Bash match in January, telling him “nice throw, mate” at one stage.
Biomechanical testing in Lahore subsequently confirmed he breached the 15-degree limit for elbow extension on certain deliveries.
Hasnain, however, has now had his action cleared following a fresh round of testing in Lahore. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it was now “within the 15-degree level of tolerance” on Thursday.
“As such, he can now resume bowling in international cricket and all domestic cricket worldwide,” the PCB statement read.
Hasnain underwent a reassessment of his bowling action last month in Lahore and the report has been verified by Cricket Australia’s independent experts, the board added.
The right-arm fast bowler had been a regular part of Pakistan’s white-ball squads and claimed a hat-trick in a Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka in 2019.
I’m overjoyed to be joining Oval Invincibles,” he said in a statement. “The Hundred looked like great fun last year and I can’t wait to get involved. The opportunity to play alongside stars like Sunil Narine, Jason Roy and the Curran brothers [Sam and Tom] is hugely exciting. I’m really looking forward to getting back out on the field again.”
Published in Dawn,June 10th, 2022
