I didn’t modify my bowling action after being reported: Bilal Asif

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Test off-spinner Bilal Asif says he did not modify his bowling action after it was reported by match officials in 2015 and the same action was cleared by the ICC lab in Chennai.

Bilal Asif was reported for a suspect illegal bowling action after Pakistan’s 3rd ODI against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2015 after the off-spinner took 5-25.

After being reported, he underwent testing at the ICC-accredited Sri Ramachandran University in Chennai and immediately had his bowling action cleared.

He played one more ODI after that against England at Abu Dhabi, and went wicket-less after conceding 32 runs in four overs. Bilal made a comeback to the Test squad in 2018 with an impressive 6-36 against Australia in Dubai.

The 34-year-old off-spinner from Sialkot has now revealed that his action has remained the same and he did not change it after being reported.

“Umpires reported it from the naked eye. Maybe they thought after seeing it from the naked eye that my action is not legal but I went to ICC lab and got my action cleared,” Asif told media in Karachi after the second day’s play in the Quaid e Azam Trophy match between Sindh and Central Punjab.

“I didn’t change my action, it was the same. I was tested for my Doosra as well and it was also cleared,” Asif revealed.

Bilal Asif last played a Test in 2018 against New Zealand and was overlooked by the management for the upcoming series against Australia. But the off-spinner is hopeful of making a comeback.

“I am doing well in domestic cricket and I am confident of making a return to the Pakistan Test team,” he said, adding that he was disappointed at being dropped from the team.

“I am happy with my form so far in the Quaid e Azam Trophy but I am aiming to end the season as the top wicket-taker,” he hoped.

Asif added that the loss of batting form was frustrating for him and he is trying to get better.

“It is not true that I am not giving ample attention to my batting but I was not been able to score much this season. I am trying my best to make my batting as good as my bowling,” he said.