Tuesday, 18 November 2014

Mohammad Hafeez called back from United Arab Emirates

                                                         Hafeez was reported for a suspected illegal bowling action

Experienced Pakistan all-rounder, Mohammad Hafeez, has been called back from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a hamstring injury. To add to Hafeez's woes, his bowling action was also reported by match officials during the first Test against New Zealand. Hafeez, who is not playing in the ongoing second Test against New Zealand in Dubai due to the injury, will return home, according to a senior official of the board.
"He is coming home as he needs rest and his bowling action would also be reviewed by experts at the national cricket academy," the official told PTI.
Hafeez's bowling action was also reported during the Champions League T20 in India this year, where he led the Lahore Lions team. However, after that incident, the board cleared him to play on for Pakistan, and he bowled in the Tests against Australia and New Zealand.
"Yes the board is clearly concerned with Hafeez's bowling action issue because the Cricket World Cup 2015 is getting closer and the board also has to finalise its 15-member World Cup squad in first week of January," a reliable source said.
The source said the Chairman of the board, Shaharyar Khan, had also given clearance to send Hafeez to England, where he will work on correcting his bowling action with Pakistan's former Test spinner, Saqlain Mushtaq.
"First Hafeez's action will be reviewed at the NCA and then he will go to England. His injury is not that a serious matter, but his bowling action is more of a concern for the board," the source added.
Over the years, Hafeez has been a sure selection in Pakistans ODI and T20 squads, as he is an all-rounder. "It is clear that if Hafeez can't bowl then, the selectors will find it tough to select him in any format only as a batsman," the source added.

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