Mohammad Hafeez called for chucking again

Colombo: Pakistan’s Mohammad Hafeez once again faces a harrowing task of getting his action cleared after the off-spinner was called for chucking during the team’s 10-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle. This is Hafeez’s second offence within a year after the all-rounder’s action was reported by the match oficials post his two-wicket haul in the first innings against the hosts, according to an ESPNcricinfo report. According to ICC regulations, a bowler, who is under scanner for a second offence, faces a bowling ban for a period of at least a year, only after which he will be eligible to apply for a reassessment of his action. Hafeez must undergo testing within 21 days of the receipt of the official report and will be allowed to bowl until the results are out, effectively making him available for the remaining two Tests against Sri Lanka. The former T20 skipper had been reported for a suspect action after the Abu Dhabi Test against New Zealand in November last year, and in December his action was found to be illegal following tests at an ICC accredited centre in Loughborough, England. Hafeez, 34, who made his international debut in 2003, has bagged 51 wickets in 43 Tests and 123 scalps in 161 ODIs.