Mohammad Hasnain banned for illegal bowling action

Lahore: Cricket Australia (CA) has banned Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain from bowling and withdrawn him from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after declaring his bowling action illegal, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Friday. 

Pakistan pacer Mohammad Hasnain has been suspended from bowling in international cricket after his action was found to be illegal at the ICC's accredited testing centre in Lahore.

In this regard, PCB released a statement regarding Hasnain after the test on his bowling action was conducted— first reported during his Big Bash League stint with the Sydney Thunder in January.   

According to the official statement, the 21-year-old breached the 15-degree limit for elbow extension on his "good length delivery, full length delivery, slow bouncer and bouncer". 

Biomechanical testing in Lahore described the bowler as an "asset" citing his ability to bowl consistently at 145 kmph and was optimistic of his return to the game after remodelling his action. 

"Keeping his future and Pakistan's interest at the forefront, the PCB has decided he will not be allowed to continue to participate in the Pakistan Super League," the statement read.

The statement further added, "Until Mohammad Hasnain clears his reassessment, he will remain suspended from bowling in international cricket". 

"The PCB has discussed the report with its own bowling experts and is confident that the problem can be resolved," it added. 

The right-arm fast bowler has been a regular part of Pakistan's white-ball squads and claimed a hat-trick in a Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka in 2019. 

For the time being, Mohammad Hasnain will use this time to work with the PCB-appointed bowling consultant to modify his bowling action so that he can apply for a reassessment and become eligible to return to international cricket as quickly as practically possible.