Another blow for Pakistan ahead of World Cup 2015

DUBAI: The Pakistan Cricket team has suffered another set-back ahead of the Cricket World Cup 2015. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has declared Mohammed Hafeez’s bowling action, illegal.

"The ICC confirmed that an independent analysis has found the bowling action of Pakistan´s Hafeez to be illegal and, as such, the off-spinner has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect," the ICC was quoted by AFP.

In order for Hafeez to bowl in the World Cup, he is required to improve his bowling action and be retested.

Objections against Hafeez’s bowling action were raised by the ICC during the first test between Pakistan and New Zealand. According to experts, the term ‘illegal’ in this case means, Hafeez’s bowling action is more than the permitted 15 degrees.

Mohammed Hafeez took the bowling-action test in in England on the 24th of November and sources have confirmed that all deliveries bowled were declared illegal.

"I have been bowling with the same action for 11 years and I am surprised how it has become suspect," Hafeez told AFP last month.

While Captain Misbah-ul Haq has been quoted saying, "It will be tough if we don't have Hafeez as bowler, he gives us the balance as he is two in one,"

Hafeez´s action was also reported in 2005, but cleared on assessment, and earlier this year in a domestic T20 match in India.