COLOMBO: Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, the world’s top-ranked bowler in one-day cricket, has been reported for a suspect action, the world governing body said on Monday, the second such incident in his career.

Match officials at the just-ended first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Galle “cited concerns over a number of deliveries that were considered to be suspect and concluded that the bowler’s action needed to be tested”, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement.

“Ajmal’s bowling action will now be scrutinised further under the ICC process relating to suspected illegal bowling actions reported in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. He is required to undergo testing within 21 days, and, during this period, Ajmal is permitted to continue bowling in international cricket until the results of the testing are known,” the governing body’s statement added.

Ajmal claimed five wickets in Sri Lanka’s first innings. The hosts won the game by seven wickets on Sunday to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The second Test starts on Thursday in Colombo.

“This has come as a surprise to us,” Pakistan team manager Moin Khan said in Colombo. “But there is no panic. We support him and he will play in the next Test.”

The first Test was umpired by Ian Gould of England and Bruce Oxenford of Australia, while Zimbabwe’s Andy Pycroft was the match referee.

Ajmal, 36, has taken 174 wickets in 34 Tests and 182 wickets in 110 ODIs since he made his international debut in 2008.

As well as heading the ICC’s bowling rankings in 50-over cricket, Ajmal is also in the top 10 of Test and Twenty20 bowlers.

He was previously reported in April 2009 but was cleared to play after testing.

After the tour of Sri Lanka, Pakistan will play a two-Test series and three ODIs against Australia in October-November in the UAE.

Ajmal is seen as the key to the hopes of former champions Pakis­tan in next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Our Reporter from Lahore adds: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) while commenting on the ICC decision of reporting Saeed Ajmal bowling action as suspected illegal one, stated on Monday it has no choice but to wait for the outcome of the process before proceeding further in the matter.

A press release issued by the PCB stated: “The ICC has reported the suspected “illegal bowling action” of off-spinner Saeed Ajmal during Pakistan’s first Test match against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Sunday.

“Once such a report has been made, the ICC rules take over and the entire process is controlled and regulated by these rules.

“The PCB has no choice but to wait for the outcome of the process before proceeding further in the matter,” the PCB release added.

Published in Dawn, Aug 12th, 2014