Pakistan’ bowler Mohammad Hafeez is hopeful of his bowling action being given the green light ahead of his reassessment by the ICC in Chennai on Thursday, April 9.
– Sharma eager to make impact on happy hunting ground at Eden Park
– Saad Nasim replaces Sohaib Maqsood for Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh
– Kolkata Knight Riders set spin trap for Mumbai Indians in IPL opener
Hafeez was banned from bowling after his elbow flexion was found to be almost double the ICC’s allowed limit of 15 degrees.
He was due to appear for re-testing in Sydney before the Cricket World Cup but injury scuppered those plans. The added time has worked in Hafeez’s favour, however, allowing the spinner to dedicate a sustained period of time to reworking his action.
“I’ve worked hard to improve my action in the last couple of months and hopefully I’ll clear the reassessment. I would like to thank the coaches who have worked with me to get over the problem and we all feel that the time is right to go into testing again,” Hafeez said at Pakistan’s training camp ahead of their tour of Bangladesh.
Nice weather here in Lahore & training camp is been started.Good start from all the boys.Well doneOnly way to get better is work harder
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) April 7, 2015
“The reason for taking April 9 for reassessment was because we’re sure that I’ll get the green light. I wanted to clear it before the World Cup but unfortunately injury didn’t allow me to go through the process.”
Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has already been cleared by the ICC after an eight-month ban.
Asked whether Hafeez had developed any special delivery in the meantime, Hafeez replied: “I’ve not developed any ball and I’ve always been a pretty simple bowler. The action never changed and I’ve been bowling similarly in my international cricket career. There are a new set of protocols and I’m looking to get my action adjusted according to new rules.”
The 34-year-old, who is primarily in the Pakistan team as a batsman, is a vital cog in the Pakistan unit because of his ability to bowl vital extra overs.
The opener opined that Bangladesh are getting better and that Pakistan would not take them lightly in the upcoming series as they always prove difficult opposition in their home conditions.
He also quashed concerns that Pakistan will have problems on the tour as anti-Pakistan sentiments have increased recently in Bangladesh, which was previously East Pakistan.
“We’ve no concerns whatsoever. In fact, whenever we have gone to Bangladesh, we have received lot of love from their fans. Obviously they support their team more and they should but they love and back Pakistan as well.”
