Feb 4, 2022: Cricket Australia (CA) said in a statement on Friday that Pakistani fast bowler Muhammad Hasnain has been banned from bowling after being found to have an illegal bowling action.

Hasnain was flagged by umpire Gerard Abood after bowling in the KFC Big Bash League match between the Sydney Thunder and the Adelaide Strikers on January 2 at the Sydney Show Ground Stadium. According to the suspected illegal bowling action procedure, Hasnain’s test was to take place within the stipulated time of 14 days and before departure from Australia at Cricket Australia’s ICC-approved facility in Brisbane.

However, after he and others were soon recalled by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), it was agreed that he would conduct have the test at the PCB-approved facility in Lahore. And the results will be provided to Australia for independent review and verification.

“This process has been completed, with Hasnain’s action found to be illegal by the PCB’s testing laboratory and the report reviewed and verified by CA’s independent expert,” the CA said.

Peter Roach, Cricket Australia’s Head of Cricket Operations and Scheduling, said: “We’d like to commend Mohammad Hasnain, the Pakistan Cricket Board, Cricket NSW and Sydney Thunder for their cooperative and respectful approach to this process – particularly given the logistical challenges around travel and testing.”

“CA’s independent expert is satisfied that Mohammad replicated his bowling action in the controlled environment during testing and that the results are accurate,” he said.

“We wish Mohammad the best over coming months and look forward to welcoming him back to Australia in the future.” He added.

Muhammad Hasnain is currently playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for the Quetta Gladiators. He was dropped from the playing Xi last night, minutes before the match against Islamabad United was scheduled to start.

The PCB said in a statement, “The PCB today received a formal and detailed report from Cricket Australia on Mohammad Hasnain’s assessment test, which stated his elbow extension for his good length delivery, full length delivery, slow bouncer and bouncer exceeded the 15-degree limits, The PCB has discussed the report with its own bowling experts and is confident that the problem can be resolved. The PCB will now appoint a bowling consultant who will work with Mohammad Hasnain so that he can rectify his bowling action and be ready for a reassessment.”

“As such, and keeping his future and Pakistan’s interest at the forefront, the PCB, on the recommendation of the HBL PSL 2022 Technical Committee, has decided he will not be allowed to continue to participate in the HBL Pakistan Super League.”

The board aknowledged that Mohammad Hasnain is an asset for Pakistan and one of the very few bowlers to consistently click 145kmp but under the Illegal Bowling Action Regulations, until Mohammad Hasnain clears his reassessment, he will remain suspended from bowling in international cricket.

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