Dubai: Pakistan, who were just coming to terms with the loss of their ace spinner Saeed Ajmal, banned due to a suspect action, were dealt another huge blow when their top all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, who bowls off spin, was also suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after he failed a test on his action.
Following the analysis on his bowling action performed on November 24 by the ICC’s accredited team of Human Movement Specialists using the National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough, it was found that Hafeez’s action exceeds the 15-degree limit for all deliveries.
Pakistan, who are gearing up to play a five-match one-day series against New Zealand, were stunned by the news. Moin Khan, the manager and chief selector of the team candidly admitted that it is a huge setback for Pakistan before the World Cup.
“Hafeez has a huge value both as a batsman and bowler. He is an impact player. It surely is a big setback for Pakistan, especially before the World Cup, that his bowling has been declared illegal. It will hamper our preparations, but I am also sure that just like our players performed in the absence of Saeed Ajmal, we will have spinners who will make use of this opportunity,” said Moin, trying hard to suppress his disappointment.
When asked whether there is panic in the team, having lost two experienced spinners, Moin, putting a brave face, said: “There is no panic. These kind of things happen. There are times when a player gets injured during the course of a match and you just have to cope with the situation. At least we are a bit lucky and we can prepare better towards this situation. Even the bowling options that we have in the team, they will be mentally prepared. Of course, there will be pressure, and you have to take responsibility and deliver. It’s part of the game.”
To a query whether Hafeez, who is top form, will play purely as a batsman, Moin said: “Of course, he will play. There is no doubt in my and the selection committee’s mind on this matter. He is a very good bowler, but he is also a very good batsman. We just cannot drop him as a batsman. He has been very consistent and he has done so well for Pakistan in the recent past. We will have to change our strategy a bit to make up for his loss as a bowler.”
Pakistan have two of the finest spin coaches in Saqlain Mustaq and Mushtaq Ahmad helping out their spinners and yet this has happened. “First of all, these guys were not working with the players and what has happened is all of a sudden. Saqlain was called after the Ajmal incident and Mushtaq has also joined the team recently. Naturally, it will take some time for them. There is a lot of difference between the arm of a common man and a cricketer. A cricketer develops muscles through continuous play and it becomes difficult for him to straighten his arm after some time.”
Are there chances of Hafeez being re-tested? “We have had a meeting on this and the decision we have come to is that the bowling review group of PCB will have a look and review the report. They will then decide and recommend what has to be done in the future.”
Moin refused to express his opinion on ICC’s recent crackdown on suspect action. “I can’t comment on this in an official capacity. These protocols have been accepted by all the member countries. Some people have criticised the timing of this, saying it should have been done after the World Cup. But this had to happen some time. Some teams will benefit from this, some teams would lose. But that’s how it goes. I am fully confident in the talent that we have in Pakistan. Just have a look at how (Zulfiqar) Babar and Yasir (Shah) came in and won us Test matches. It’s all a question of getting a chance.”
