Saeed Ajmal Ban For Illegal Bowling Action by ICC
The International Cricket Council today confirmed that an independent analysis has found the bowling action of Pakistan's off-spinner Saeed Ajmal to be illegal and, as such, the player has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect. The analysis revealed that all his deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations.
Ajmal was reported for his action in 2009 while bowling the doosra during the one-day international series against Australia but was cleared by the ICC after tests. However, there was to be no reprieve this time around for the world's No1 ranked bowler in one-day internationals. He was once again reported by the match officials during Pakistan's seven-wicket loss to Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle last month.
Ajmal, Worcestershire's overseas player earlier this season, underwent testing on August 25 by the ICC's accredited team of human movement specialists using the National Cricket Centre, who ruled his action was illegal. The ICC's decision means Ajmal is immediately unavailable to bowl in international cricket and the ban will remain until he modifies his action before he can apply for a reassessment.
He is the third cricketer to receive an international bowling ban for an illegal action in recent months, with New Zealand's Kane Williamson and Sri Lanka's Sachithra Senanayake suspended in July. The news will come as a huge blow to Pakistan as Ajmal has been a star performer for them in all three formats. Ajmal, who took five for 166 in the first innings against Sri Lanka in Galle, has played 35 Tests, 111 ODIs and 63 T20 internationals for Pakistan, taking 446 wickets in all three formats.
