DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has banned Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal from bowling in international cricket after his action was deemed to be illegal for all deliveries.
The 37-year-old Ajmal was reported after the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle last month.
The decision to ban him was taken after an ICC accredited team of bio-mechanics experts tested his action at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane.
Ajmal can apply to the ICC for a re-assessment at any time after modifying his action.
“An independent analysis has found the bowling action of Pakistan’s offspinner Saeed Ajmal to be illegal and, as such, the player has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect,” the ICC said.
“The analysis revealed that all his deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations.”
However, Ajmal was hopeful that a medical condition – the natural bend in his arm because of an accident – would work in his favour when the appeal is made to the ICC’s bowling review group.
“I am positive about this and not worried because I believe I can make the World Cup,” Ajmal told reporters in Faisalabad.
“They are yet to consider my medical reports and once they do it I am sure there shouldn’t be any problem. If one has a medical problem then what can he do? So I am 100% positive and hoping for the best,” Ajmal said.
Ajmal is the No 1 ranked bowler in the ICC ODI rankings and is among the top 10 in Tests and Twenty20 internationals.
This was the second instance of Ajmal being reported for a suspect action. In April 2009, the bowler had been reported while bowling the doosra, and was cleared the following month.
