LAHORE: Dual jobs by a number of PCB officials are now going to affect young off-spinner Bilal Asif’s interests as most members of the Illegal Bowling Action Review Committee may not be available to assist him ahead of his biomechanics test.

Bilal made an impressive debut in international cricket by taking five wickets in the last One-day International against Zimbabwe but was unfortunately reported for an illegal bowling action.

He has to appear for a biomechanics test either in Chennai, India, or Loughborough University, UK, on Oct 19 or 20 which would determine whether or not his bowling action is legal. Failing the test, he will not be allowed to bowl in international cricket.

But a number of PCB’s Bowling Action Review Committee members are not present in the city to guide him about clearing the test.

Mohammad Akram, who is the head of the committee and the head bowling coach at the National Cricket Academy, is currently touring the UAE with the Pakistan ‘A’ team as coach and manager.

This way he is wearing four hats at the same time.

Two other members of the committee — Pakistan spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmad and Dr Sohail Saleem — are with the Pakistan national team in the UAE which is going to meet England in the three-Test series starting Oct 13.

International umpire Aleem Dar already refused to be part of the committee as he was on the ICC’s elite panel of umpires.

Ali Zia is the only member of the five-man committee who is present in Lahore these days.

Akram is likely to return from the UAE with the ‘A’ team but Mushtaq and Dr Saleem will stay there with the national team.

It may be mentioned that the PCB had rejected the policy of dual jobs but a good number of its officials are still wearing two or more hats as influential officials always succeed in finding a way for foreign tours with national, ‘A’ or under-19 teams, ignoring their original jobs in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2015

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