Pakistan not happy with Hafeez's comments on Illegal bowling action
Pakistan Cricket Board has pulled up all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez for his comments on the ICC's process of calling suspect actions. Hafeez has been issued a notice by the Pakistan board and has been asked to explain his comments within next 7 days. According to sources, the board has also barred Hafeez from speaking to media. Here is more on this story.
So what did Hafeez state in his interview?
In an interview to BBC Urdu, Hafeez said that it's all about 'influence' on whether a particular player gets called or not for illegal bowling action. He feels ICC is lenient towards players of certain countries. He also hit out at cricket boards for their power and alleged that nobody wants to go against them.
Hafeez clarifies that he had permission from PCB
The veteran all-rounder, later, on told the media that he had taken the permission of the Pakistan board before giving this interview. He hit out at people for just focusing on his comments about bowling action and keeping mum on other aspects that he discussed in this one-hour interview. Hafeez will now have to go and give a detailed explanation to the board officials.
Hafeez's action has been under scrutiny several times
In an ODI against Sri Lanka in October 2017, Hafeez was reported for illegal bowling action. This was the third time in 3 years that he was suspended for this action. The first instance came in 2014 against New Zealand. In 2015, he was cleared before being reported once again against Lanka in a Test match. He was banned from bowling for 12 months.
Current situation of Hafeez
Hafeez is looking to earn his place in the Pakistan team and recently underwent a re-assessment session to rectify his bowling action. He was at England's Loughborough University. The good news is that his bowling action is now within the 15-degree level set by ICC.
