The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may consider sending all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez back to Pakistan, following his suspension over a suspect bowling action by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Hafeez has been a key all-rounder for the team and captain Misbah-ul-Haq is eager to utilise his bowling services at the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

The 34-year-old's departure may also mean a possible shuffle in the lineup as the management had already announced the squad against New Zealand for the first two games before series started.

The ICC on Sunday declared the bowling action of Hafeez illegal. He was reported for a suspect action during the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi early in November after which he travelled to England for a biomechanics test.

In a statement posted to the cricket regulatory body's website, the ICC confirmed that Hafeez's action was illegal and he has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect.

The statement read, "The International Cricket Council today confirmed that an independent analysis has found the bowling action of Pakistan’s Mohammad Hafeez to be illegal."

"The analysis revealed that all his deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations."

Hafeez’s action was also reported during a Twenty20 league in India in September this year, but the PCB said the bowler went through remedial work at the national cricket academy in Lahore.

He was not reported during the 2-0 win over Australia which finished last month.

Previously, Hafeez’s action had been cleared after being reported in a one-day match against the West Indies in Brisbane in 2005.