Ajmal banned from bowling in international cricket

Afghanistan

The International Cricket Council have banned Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal from bowling.

The International Cricket Council have banned Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal from bowling.

Ajmal was reported for a suspect arm action during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle last month – and later underwent bio-mechanical testing at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane.

Umpires Bruce Oxenford and Ian Gould, third official Richard Illingworth and match referee Andy Pycroft cited concerns over numerous deliveries during the series opener.

"An independent analysis has found the bowling action of Pakistan's off-spinner Saeed Ajmal to be illegal and, as such, the player has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect," read a statement from the ICC.

"The analysis revealed that all his deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations."

The 36-year-old Ajmal currently holds first position in the ICC rankings for ODI bowlers – and occupies ninth and third spot respectively in the Test and Twenty20 International standings.

He was reported for a similar suspicion in April 2009 – but was cleared a month later. Sri Lanka's Sachithra Senenayake and New Zealand's Kane Williamson were, earlier this year, banned for similar infringements. The Pakistani is, however, allowed to apply for a reassessment.

Tuesday's announcement is a major inconvenience to Pakistan's preparation for next month's one-off T20I, three ODIs and two Tests against Australia in the United Arab Emirates.

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