The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday announced that following remedial work and re-assessments, the bowling action of Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez has been found to be legal, with the off-spinner now cleared to resume bowling in international cricket.
Hafeez rectified his bowling action at the Loughborough University in Leicestershire to within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC Illegal Bowling Regulations.
Match officials, however, will remain to be at liberty to report Hafeez of any future infractions. They will also be provided with images and video footages of the bowler's remodelled legal bowling action as a reference.
Hafeez was first suspended from bowling in December 2014 after being reported for an illegal bowling action during the Test series against New Zealand in November. Following remedial work, he was re-assessed and permitted to resume bowling in April 2015.
Following his second suspension in two years in July 2015, he returned to action in November 2016; only to get reported for a third time during the Abu Dhabi ODI against Sri Lanka in October 2017.
He was subsequently suspended in November 2017 after an independent assessment revealed he had employed an illegal bowling action.
Meanwhile, West Indies' Ronsford Beaton has failed an independent assessment and has been suspended from bowling in international cricket. The pacer was reported with a suspicious bowling action during the second One Day International (ODI) against New Zealand in Christchurch on December 24.
In accordance with the Regulations, Beaton's international suspension will also be recognised and enforced by all National Cricket Federations for domestic cricket events played in their respective jurisdictions, although, with the consent of Cricket West Indies, Beaton may be able to play in domestic cricket events played in the Caribbean.
The player can apply for a re-assessment after modifying his bowling action in accordance with clause 4.5 of the ICC Illegal Bowling Regulations.
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