ICC clears Saeed Ajmal's bowling action by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:

Saeed Ajmal, J Botha

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DateLine: 25th May 2009

 

Pakistani off-spinner Saeed Ajmal received a boost ahead of next month's World Twenty20 when a biomechanic expert cleared his bowling action, officials said on Sunday. The 33-year-old spinner's action while bowling 'doosra' (a ball that turns away from a right-hander, as opposed to a conventional off-spinner which turns towards him) -- was reported by the umpires during the second One-Day International against Australia in Dubai last month.

 

He was, however, allowed to continue bowling till an assessment of his action by Elliott, the International Cricket Council's (ICC) appointed biomechanist, was completed. Khan said Elliott had sent his report to the PCB as well as to the ICC. Ajmal was named in Pakistan's 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 starting in England from June 5.

 

Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam had backed Ajmal's bowling action and had criticised what he called inconsistency in the ICC's process of dealing with bowlers with illegal action. The ICC in a statement later confirmed the bowling action of Ajmal had been found to be legal in an independent test and said the player can, therefore, continue to bowl in international cricket.

 

South African off-spinner Johan Botha was also reported for "doosra" last month, but his delivery was ruled illegal by the ICC and he was warned against bowling that particular delivery in international cricket.