Hafeez to fly to Chennai for bowling action test

Pakistan’s senior all-rounder, Mohammad Hafeez is expected to fly to Chennai on December 25th for his bowling action test at the International Cricket Council bowling centre.

A member of the Board of Governors of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it is yet to be decided if Hafeez will go for an informal bowling test or an official ICC test.

If Hafeez appears for an official ICC test and in case he fails the bowling action test again he can face a ban from bowling in international cricket for another year which would rule him out of bowling in the World Cup.

"Hafeez will go to Chennai around December 25 but on Tuesday it will be decided whether it will be for an informal test or official one," Shakil Sheikh said.

Hafeez was expected to get his visa from the Indian High Commission in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Hafeez was suspended from bowling in international cricket last month by the ICC after failing a bowling test soon after he was reported for his action by match officials after the first Test against New Zealand.

About experienced off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who is also suspended from bowling in international cricket since September, Sheikh said a final decision on his going to Chennai would be taken soon.

Ajmal appeared in two One-day matches against Kenya last week and bowled a total of 12 overs and later said he felt confident bowling with his remodeled action.

"Saqlain Mushtaq is also in Lahore and he has been watching Hafeez and Ajmal bowl in the nets. We are going by his advice and the feedback from the national cricket academy head coach," Sheikh said.

"Hafeez's case is different he could still be part of the World Cup squad even if he is not cleared for bowling by then but Ajmal's case is different."

Sheikh said Ajmal had been included in the Punjab squad that will play in the Pentangular one-day tournament starting from December 31st in Multan which will also serve as a test for the 30 probables named for the World Cup.

"A decision on his going for a bowling test will be taken after seeing how he performs in the Pentangular," he added.

Image: Mohammad Hafeez

Photograph: Francois Nel/Getty Images