Mohammad Hasnain’s bowling action declared illegal by Cricket Australia

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani pacer Mohammad Hasnain has been suspended from bowling after being found to have an illegal bowling action, Cricket Australia (CA) said in a statement Friday.

Hasnain was reported by umpire Gerard Abood after bowling in the KFC Big Bash League match between Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers at Sydney Showground Stadium on January 2.

As per the Suspected Illegal Bowling Action Procedures, Hasnain was due to be tested at Cricket Australia’s ICC-approved facility in Brisbane within the mandated 14-day timeframe and before his departure from Australia.
However, after he and others were recalled early by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), it was agreed he would conduct his test at the PCB’s approved facility in Lahore, with results provided to Cricket Australia for independent review and verification.

“This process has been completed, with Hasnain’s action found to be illegal by the PCB’s testing laboratory and the report reviewed and verified by CA’s independent expert,” the CA said.

Hasnain is currently playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for the Quetta Gladiators. He was dropped from the playing Xi last night, minutes before the match was scheduled to start.

Peter Roach, Cricket Australia’s Head of Cricket Operations and Scheduling, said: “We’d like to commend Mohammad Hasnain, the Pakistan Cricket Board, Cricket NSW and Sydney Thunder for their cooperative and respectful approach to this process – particularly given the logistical challenges around travel and testing.”

“CA’s independent expert is satisfied that Mohammad replicated his bowling action in the controlled environment during testing and that the results are accurate,” he said.

Given the collaborative nature of this process, Peter Roach said, Cricket Australia has full confidence the PCB will support Mohammad to rectify his action.

“We wish Mohammad the best over coming months and look forward to welcoming him back to Australia in the future.”

Read more: Ten members of PCB staff test positive for COVID-19