Under-scrutiny Pakistan offspinner Saeed Ajmal will miss part of his side’s one-day international (ODI) series against Sri Lanka as he undergoes tests on his bowling action in Australia, officials said on Friday.
The 37-year-old, ranked No.1 in ODIs and Pakistan’s main bowling weapon, had his action reported as suspect earlier this month during the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle.
Under International Cricket Council (ICC) rules, Ajmal is required to clear his action from an accredited biomechanics lab within 21 days of the report, but he is free to play until then.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed said Ajmal would have tests in Brisbane.
“Ajmal will be sent to Brisbane to undergo tests and a PCB official will go with him,” Ahmed told AFP. “The team management is arranging for his travel from Sri Lanka.”
Team manager Moin Khan says Ajmal is in Hambantota where Pakistan will play the first of three one-dayers on Saturday.
“If he gets a flight on Friday, then he will miss the first one-day (match) but we are trying to get him back by August 26 in time for the next game, a day later in Colombo,” Khan told AFP.
The third and final match is in Dambulla on August 30.
Ajmal’s action was first reported in 2009 but he was cleared as there were only doubts over his doosra, which turns the other way than a normal off-spin delivery.
However, this time, match officials have raised concerns over several deliveries including some bowled from over the wicket, raising threats he could face a ban and need remedial work on his action.
Sri Lanka’s Sachitra Senanayake and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson – both offspinners – were also reported and subsequently banned from bowling after their actions were reported last month.
Senanayake has undergone remedial work in Western Australian University last week but awaits a report to get clearance.
The Pakistan team will be hit hard if Ajmal is banned as they face tough series against Australia and New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates from October to December.
He is also a crucial part of Pakistan’s line-up for the World Cup in February-March.
Ajmal has taken 178 Test 182 one-day wickets. He is the leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 internationals with 85.
