Pakistan’s spinning all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez said he was surprised but not concerned after his bowling was reported in an Indian domestic tournament and that he had no plans to modify his action.
Hafeez, 33, is key to Pakistan’s attack in their series against Australia that starts with a Twenty20 in Dubai on Sunday, particularly after the suspension of ace spinner Saeed Ajmal, whose action was found to be illegal in testing last month.
The report by on-field umpires in the Indian tournament has no bearing on international cricket. Although Pakistan coach Waqar Younis said it would “shatter” the all-rounder’s confidence, Hafeez, said he is unfazed: “I am surprised over my action being reported because I am bowling like this for the last 11 years. I have played six major world events – two World Cups and three World Twenty20s – and nobody had ever questioned my action.
“This is a big surprise for me.”
The International Cricket Council (ICC) began a crackdown on illegal bowling actions in June, deciding to strictly enforce its 15-degree limit on elbow flex – the point where a kink becomes visible to the naked eye.
The ICC suspended Sri Lanka’s Sachitra Senanayake and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson before Ajmal.
Pakistan’s T20 captain Shahid Afridi said his team will miss Ajmal but backed Hafeez and Raza Hasan to step up.
“We all know the importance of Ajmal and we will miss him,” Afridi said after the team’s practice session in Dubai last night.
Pakistan have selected 22-year-old left-arm spinner Hasan to replace Ajmal.
“I am very confident that Hasan has played cricket before and has done well,” said Afridi of the spinner.
“Hafeez and I will be there. As captain, when I look at my bowling, [I will] definitely miss Ajmal, but I am very confident that we will have no issues.”
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