Mohammad Hafeez urges ICC to tweak its rules to preserve ‘Doosra’

Hafeez has been reported for suspect bowling action three times so far.

Mohammad Hafeez | AFP

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez on Saturday (February 24) urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to alter its rules a bit so that 'doosra' delivery can remain to be a part of cricket.  

"Really happy to see leg spinners come into international cricket. But I still believe something should happen when it comes to the doosra," Hafeez quoted as saying by PTI on the sidelines of the Pakistan Super League.

"Saeed Ajmal has given us a lot of excitement as well as Saqlain Mushtaq. It is one area ICC must look into. Some extension in the rules... doosra should be a part of cricket, not taken away from it," he further added.

Hafeez, who is a top order batsman and a handy off-spinner, has been reported for suspect bowling action during Pakistan’s bilateral ODI series against Sri Lanka last year. The 37-year-old is currently not eligible to bowl in ICC events.

"This is one area that every team looks forward to. Having leg spinners in the team provides them with lots of excitement and options to get wickets," Hafeez said.

"Leg-spinners are always fascinating when it comes to cricket, starting from Abdul Qadir when he used to bowl his googlies it was a new thing in cricket and everyone just loved that. Then the legacy continued led by Anil Kumble from India, Shane Warne from Australia, Mushtaq Ahmad from Pakistan," he explained.

Hafeez’s action has been reported as suspect three times so far. Firstly, he was suspended from bowling in December 2014 before he was cleared 5 months later in April 2015. Just 2 months thereafter his action was again reported and hence his second suspension came within 24 months of the initial suspension. Owing to this, Hafeez was suspended from bowling in international cricket for 12 months from July 2015 onwards.

In order to clear his action, Hafeez underwent a reassessment of his bowling action at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane on November 17, 2016. Subsequently, he was allowed to recommence bowling since the action was found to be legal.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 25 Feb, 2018

    Share Via