LAHORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has cleared the bowling action of Pakistan off-spinner Bilal Asif after a report of his biomechanics test, conducted in Chennai, India came in negative.

“The ICC confirms that the bowling action of Pakistan’s Bilal Asif has been found legal and the player can continue bowling in international cricket,” an ICC press release announced on Friday.

“At the assessment, it was revealed that the amount of elbow extension in all of Asif’s deliveries was well within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC regulations,” the ICC said.

The PCB was relieved after the news as two of its frontline off-spinners — Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez — had been reported for the same offence but could not clear the test in their first attempt. Ajmal later cleared the test but Hafeez is still not allowed to bowl.

Bilal was reported after the third ODI against Zimbabwe in Harare on Oct 5 and the independent assessment was performed at the Sri Ramachandra University testing centre in Chennai earlier this month.

The news will give enough boost to Pakistan’s bowling against England in the upcoming one-day series starting in the UAE next month.

Asif caught the eyes when he in his second ODI against Zimbabwe returned with a fine bowling figures of five for 25 helping Pakistan to win the third ODI and the series 2-1. He also scored 38 runs.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2015

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