Pakistan & Middlesex allrounder, Mohammad Hafeez, has been suspended from bowling in all ECB competitions hereafter following a bowling-action assessment that found his action to be illegal, reports Cricbuzz.
"I have received the ECB Bowling Review Group report on my bowling action," Hafeez said in a statement on Tuesday (December 24). "Despite identifying procedural testing flaws, which have been accepted by the review committee, as well as realising the findings will potentially affect my reputation as a world-proven all-rounder, I accept the Bowling Review Group findings.
"As per ECB regulations, I am ready to appear for an independent analysis at an ICC-accredited centre, so that I become eligible to play in ECB-organised events."
Hafeez, who had signed on mid-season as a replacement for AB de Villiers, had had his action reported on August 30 after the T20 Blast match in Taunton between Somerset and Middlesex. He underwent an independent assessment at Loughborough University and challenged the findings which showed his elbow extension exceeding the 15-degree tolerance limit for bowling actions.
This is not a one-off occurrence for Hafeez, though. He was first called out for illegal action back in 2005 and since, has been reported, suspended and cleared too. The only way Hafeez may be able to bowl again is by requesting a reassessment after correcting his action, following the bowling review group's decision to suspend him from bowling in ECB competitions and advising him to correct his action.
