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Pakistan pacer Mohammad Hasnain has been banned from bowling due to an illegal action. His action was confirmed to be illegal following a biomechanical test at Lahore's University of Management Sciences.
The testing done on January 21 disclosed that Hasnain breached the ICC's 15-degree limit for elbow extension on his "good length delivery, full-length delivery, slow bouncer and bouncer". The ban will rule out the fast bowler from Pakistan's home series against Australia in March. He has also been suspended from bowling in international cricket and in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is sure that Hasnain, the 21-year-old bowler who regularly tops the 145 kph, can be made eligible again as quickly by appointing a bowling coach.
"The PCB has discussed the report with its own bowling experts and is confident that the problem can be resolved. The PCB will now appoint a bowling consultant who will work with Mohammad Hasnain so that he can rectify his bowling action and be ready for a reassessment,” a PCB statement read.
"Hasnain is an asset for Pakistan and one of the very few bowlers to consistently click 145kph. As such, and keeping his future and Pakistan's interest at the forefront, the PCB, on the recommendation of the HBL PSL 2022 Technical Committee, has decided he will not be allowed to continue to participate in the HBL PSL,” PCB added in the statement.
Hasnain’s illegal bowling was reported by umpire Gerard Abood after his BBL debut with the Thunder on January 2. He had already played in 70 T20 matches around the world at that time. The length of his bowling ban is unclear and if he gets caught for the same action for a second time within two years, that would lead to a one-year ban.
"Hasnain was a very popular member of the Sydney Thunder and made a positive impression both on and off the field. We fully support his endeavors to clear his action and hope to see him back at the club in the future." Cricket NSW's head of male cricket Michael Klinger said.
