Saturday 7 February 2015 11:17, UK
The International Cricket Council (ICC) have announced that Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal and Sohag Gazi of Bangladesh can bowl in international cricket once again after their actions were cleared following retests in Chennai.
Ajmal, one of the world’s leading spinners, had his action reported after the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in August.
And his fellow off-spinner Gazi was reported after a one-day international against West Indies, also in August.
The duo’s actions failed initial tests but, after remedial work, they were cleared to return following retests at the Sri Ramachandra University on 24 January.
An ICC statement read: “In advance of any retest, a player who has been banned from bowling in international cricket is required to identify the various types of deliveries he wants assessed, with a view to bowling those types of deliveries in international cricket, should they be tested as legal.
“At the retests, it was revealed that the amount of elbow extensions in both the off-spinners’ bowling actions for all their deliveries was within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC regulations for the review of bowlers reported with suspected illegal bowling actions.
“The umpires are still at liberty to report Saeed Ajmal and Sohag Gazi in the future, if they believe they are displaying a suspect action and not reproducing the legal actions from the retests.
“To assist the umpires they have been provided with images and video footage of the two bowlers’ significantly remodeled legal bowling actions.”
Ajmal is a key member of the Pakistan one-day team but pulled out of their World Cup preliminary squad in December and the board said there was no chance of the 37-year-old featuring at the tournament, which starts on 14 February.
Pakistan begin their campaign against India in Adelaide, Australia on 15 February and Ajmal has now been cleared to bowl but no plans have been announced yet to draft him into the squad.
Ajmal said: "I have set my sights on the series against Bangladesh (in April) but, if Pakistan needed me during the World Cup, I am available to join the team.
"I am thankful to my coaches for working tirelessly with me and remodelling my action. It was not an easy thing, as I used to bowl 40 overs a day and practice very hard.
"If I had any retirement plans, I would have quit when I was suspended last year. I want to play for another three-four years before quitting the game."
I have set my sights on the series against Bangladesh but, if Pakistan needed me during the World Cup, I am available to join the team.
Ajmal has taken 178 wickets in 325 Test appearances and 183 in 111 one-day internationals.
Pakistan will now await news of all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, who is due to undergo testing on his action in Brisbane next week.
Hafeez has already been included in Pakistan's World Cup squad as a batsman but, if his action is cleared after the test, he could also bowl his off-spin at the tournament.
