Hafeez Banned for illegal action

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez was on Tuesday suspended from bowling in English cricket's domestic competitions after his action was again found illegal following an independent assessment.

He was reported by the umpires after a T20 Blast match between Middlesex and Somerset at Taunton in August.

The suspension was imposed following a Bowling Review Group hearing at Lord's. 

The 39-year-old off-spinner played four T20 games for Middlesex last summer, taking two wickets and scoring 115 runs, with a highest score of 48.

Hafeez posted a statement on Middlesex's website accepting the findings.

"Despite identifying procedural testing flaws, which have been accepted by the review committee, as well as realising the findings will potentially affect my reputation as a world-proven all-rounder, I accept the Bowling Review Group findings,"

"As per ECB regulations, I am ready to appear for an independent analysis at an ICC-accredited centre so that I become eligible to play in ECB-organised events," added Hafeez, who does not currently have a contract with an English county for the 2020 season. 

Following the umpires' reports, Hafeez's action was independently tested at Loughborough University.

"That assessment, which was contested by Hafeez, found that the player's elbow extension for his off-spin delivery exceeded 15 degrees as defined in the Illegal Bowling Regulations," said an England and Wales Cricket Board statement.

"The player has been advised to correct his action. Until he is able to pass an independent reassessment of his action the player is not eligible to bowl in ECB competitions."