The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is preparing to send suspended off-spinner Saeed Ajmal for a biomechanic test after he reported a marked improvement in his bowling action.
Ajmal, who has been Pakistan’s top spinner for the last few years, was also suspended by the ICC from bowling in international cricket last month after failing an official test as per ICC rules.
“Saeed (Ajmal) is very confident that he will be ready soon with a remodelled action for another independent biomechanic test,” PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmad told PTI .
“Saqlain Mushtaq and the team of experts who are working on Saeed’s bowling action have also given positive feedback. Once we get a go ahead from them we plan to send him for an independent analysis of his remodelled action,” Ahmad said.
“Saeed and Saqlain are very confident his remodelled action will ensure his bowling action is within the ICC permitted limit of 15 degrees. But we are anxious to see whether the remodelled action will have reduced his potency as a bowler or it will remain the same,” he added.
Ahmad also explained the reason for the recent crackdown on bowlers with suspect bowling actions by the ICC at all levels of cricket.
“This issue will be discussed again at the ICC’s meeting in November. But the ICC basically has told its umpires and match referees to be very strict with bowlers now as this was not the case in the past,” he said.
“Now what has happened is that the ICC has asked its accredited biomechanic labs to add additional equipment like a 3D camera while taking tests of bowlers,” he said.
Ahmad did not foresee the ICC changing its protocol on bowling actions even though the crackdown on bowlers with illegal bowling actions has left preparations of some teams for the World Cup in jeopardy.
“The feeling is that this crackdown will be felt more so for a couple of months but than this menace of suspect bowling actions will be rectified once for all,” he said.
Ahmad said the ICC had also advised its member boards to follow the same protocol in their domestic cricket set-ups.
“That is the reason why we have asked match officials to be more vigilant with bowlers now in our domestic competitions. We also want this problem resolved once and for all,” he said.
Ahmad said suggestions and feedback on the new protocol would obviously be discussed at the next ICC meeting when the subject is on the agenda.
About Ajmal, Ahmad said Saqlain and the team of experts were working hard with him and the off—spinner himself was making a strong effort to get his action cleared from the ICC.
“He is also planning to play some domestic matches before he goes for his independent biomechanics test,” the PCB official said.
Ahmad said all the bowlers reported for suspect actions in the recently-concluded national T20 event or in other domestic events would undergo tests at the National Cricket Academy.
“Those with a chance of improving their bowling action will definitely be provided all facilities and incentive to work hard on remodelling their actions,” he said.
