LONDON – The International Cricket Council (ICC) Tuesday allowed Pakistan’s allrounder Mohammad Hafeez to resume bowling, after clearing his rejigged action.
The ICC announced that following remedial work and re-assessment, the off-spinner’s bowling action has been found to be legal.
On 17 April, Hafeez underwent a re-assessment of his bowling action at the Loughborough University where it was revealed that the amount of elbow extension in his bowling action was within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC Illegal Bowling Regulations.
The Match Officials are still at liberty to report Hafeez in the future if they believe he is displaying a suspect action and not reproducing the legal action from the re-assessment. To assist the Match Officials, they will be provided with images and video footage of the bowler’s remodelled legal bowling action.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/sports/icc-declares-mohammad-hafeezs-bowling-action-illegal/
Hafeez was first suspended from bowling in December 2014 after being reported in November 2014 during a Test series. Following remedial work on his bowling action he was re-assessed and permitted to resume bowling in April 2015.
He was then suspended from bowling in July 2015 for 12 months following a second suspension within 24 months. He was re-assessed and permitted to resume bowling in November 2016.
The spin bowling allrounder was reported for the third time during the Abu Dhabi ODI against Sri Lanka in October 2017 and was subsequently suspended in November 2017 after an independent assessment revealed he had employed an illegal bowling action.
The latest development will come as a major boost to Pakistan, who had relied heavily on Hafeez’s all-round game in the months leading up to his action being found illegal, rising to the top of the T20I rankings, and winning the Champions Trophy in June last year.
