Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez's bowling action is set to be re-tested. The off-spinner, who was banned by the International Cricket council (ICC), had it lifted on July 17 — making him available for a reassessment.

Hafeez is a part of the Pakistan side which is touring England nowadays and is currently playing the Three Lions in the second of the four-Tests at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Although a recent knee injury had delayed the rehabilitation of his bowling action, Pakistan are hopeful that he will be able to undergo a re-test at Loughborough after the Test match ends.

"Final decision on Mohammad Hafeez's test on his bowling action in the ICC-accredited facility at Loughborough shall be taken in the next few days," team manager, Intikhab Alam, said in a statement.

"Since his recovery from the injury in the right knee that he sustained during the ICC World T20, Hafeez has recommenced remedial work on his bowling action.

"But owing to the time lost due to injury as well as his concentration on batting practice afterwards, Hafeez has not been able to devote adequate time to the remedial work.

"In the last couple of weeks however he has resumed working on it at the nets. Hafeez is confident that in the next few days he would be able to present himself for the test."

Hafeez, last year, was banned from bowling for 12 months after his action was found to be illegal for the second time since November 2015.

The former Pakistan captain was initially reported after the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi in the same month and was subsequently banned after an independent analysis found his action to be illegal.

He was cleared to bowl in April last year after changing his action but the part-time bowler was again reported by match officials for a suspect action during a Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle in June 2015. “Hafeez is entitled to appeal any procedural aspect of an independent assessment that has led to this automatic suspension,” the ICC said in a statement.

“However, only after the expiry of this one-year period will he be entitled to approach the ICC for a re-assessment of his bowling action.”

As per ICC rules, if a player who has been reassessed and cleared is reported a second time, within two years of the date of commencement of the first suspension, he or she will then receive a minimum suspension of one year, and can apply once more for reassessment afterwards.

Misbah fancies Hafeez's bowling return

Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq fancied having Hafeez as an additional bowling option to diversify an attack which comprises of three left-arm pacers and one right-arm leg-spinner in Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Rahat ali and Yasir Shah respectively.

"That could give us a big advantage," Misbah said while speaking before the Old Trafford Test.

"If we have him when the opposition have four or five left-handers," he added.