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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Pakistan's Ajmal reported for suspect bowling action

Pakistan's Ajmal reported for suspect bowling action

April 26, 2009 21:41 IST
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Pakistan bowler Saeed Ajmal has been reported for suspected illegal action.

The right-arm spinner was reported by Emirates Elite Panel umpires Asad Rauf and Billy Bowden as well as third umpire Zameer Haider and fourth umpire Nadeem Ghouri at the conclusion of Pakistan's second ODI against Australia in Dubai.

In their report the umpires explained they had concerns over the player's action and, having monitored it during both matches in the series so far, decided it was appropriate the action should be scrutinised further under the relevant ICC process.

Ajmal, who has played seven ODIs, must submit an analysis of his action by a member of the ICC's panel of human movement specialists, appointed in consultation with his national board.

If he is found to have used an illegal action, he could be banned from bowling until he takes remedial action and is reassessed.

The third game of the five-match series will be played on Monday. Pakistan won the opening match and Australia drew level on Friday.

Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Younis Khan was fined 50 percent of his match fee and his team members 20 percent of theirs for maintaining a slow over rate in Friday's match.

Pakistan were four overs short of their target at the end of the Australia innings when time allowances were taken into consideration.

And with the shortfall being more than two overs, Younus, as captain, was automatically charged with a Level 2.11 ICC Code of Conduct breach.

Younus pleaded guilty to that charge in the hearing that took place on Sunday. The charge was laid by the two on-field match officials Asad Rauf and Billy Bowden as well as third umpire Zameer Haider and fourth official Nadeem Ghauri.

Younus was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for the breach -- the minimum amount allowable for a Level two offence -- and as he was found guilty, that punishment took precedence over the fine that was imposed on him as part of the Pakistan team.

 That is in accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct regulation that states: "In the event of the captain being found guilty of a charge under this rule (2.11), the sanction imposed will take the place of the fine imposed..."

The other players are each fined five per cent of their match fees for every over they failed to bowl in the time allowed and so Younus's team-mates are each 20 per cent out of pocket following the match. If a captain is not charged and found guilty under 2.11, his punishment for an over-rate breach is always double that of the rest of the team.

Players found guilty of a Level two, three or four offence under the ICC Code of Conduct have a right of appeal. Such an appeal must be lodged in writing within 24 hours of the player receiving the original verdict.

The penalties for a Level two offence range from a fine of 50 per cent of a player's match fee up to a fine of a full match fee and/or a one-Test or two-ODI ban.

The hearing was attended by the match referee, the umpires, the player, Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam and team manager Yawar Saeed.

Crowe said: "Younus was warned on several occasions during the match that he was falling behind on the over-rates yet he still did not catch up. It is not acceptable for teams to bowl their overs too slowly and now Younus must be very careful it doesn't happen again in the next year or he will find himself suspended."

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