LOUGHBOROUGH: Pakistan premier all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has been suspended once again for a suspect bowling action, the International Cricket Council announced.
This is the third time since 2014 that Hafeez has been suspended for a suspect bowling action. This suspension comes as a shock to the Pakistan team management as Hafeez’s bowling was central to Pakistan’s performance as a bowling unit. Earlier, Hafeez had been banned for two years after his action was found suspect for the second time in 2015.
Hafeez, 37, has played over 300 international matches for Pakistan and has taken 237 wickets in all formats. He has also been prolific with the bat scoring more than 5000 runs in ODIs for Pakistan.
Hafeez was earlier suspended in November 2014 for the first time, however, he could not clear his action for the second time either and was banned for two years. However, when he returned with a remodeled action he was almost as effective. Hafeez’s economy rates have made a willy off-spinner and he has a knack of picking up left handers.
Hafeez and Pakistan are lucky that their isn’t much Cricket planned for Pakistan in the next 6 months. Hafeez won’t be able to bowl in the tour of New Zealand but he might be allowed to bowl in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) subject to permission from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Earlier, Saeed Ajmal had been banned, however when he returned to the fore he was not the Ajmal of old. He announced his retirement last week from all forms of cricket.