Mohammad Hafeez has been suspended from bowling in all ECB competitions:

Pakistani all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, who had represented Middlesex in the Vitality Blast, has been suspended from bowling in all ECB competition after his bowling action was found to be illegal after a bowling-action assessment.

Hafeez went through an independent assessment at Loughborough University after his action was reported by the umpires ahead of a Vitality Blast match between Middlesex and Somerset on August 30, 2019.

The 39-years –old all-rounder had contested the assessment that his elbow extension exceeded the 15-degree tolerance limit, and his appeal was heard at Lord’s on Tuesday, December 24.

The bowling review group suspended him from bowling in ECB competitions following his appeal. Hafeez was advised to correct his actions, and once he has done it, he may request a re-assessment to be cleared to bowl again.

Mohammad Hafeez’s statement about his suspension from bowling in ECB tournaments:

“I have received the ECB Bowling Review Group report on my bowling action. Despite identifying procedural testing flaws, which have been accepted by the review committee, as well as realising the findings will potentially affect my reputation as a world-proven all-rounder, I accept the Bowling Review Group findings.” Hafeez said in his statement regarding the issue.

“As per ECB regulations, I am ready to appear for an independent analysis at an ICC-accredited centre so that I become eligible to play in ECB-organised events.”

? | MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ STATEMENT…@MHafeez22 has issued a statement in response to today’s ECB announcement on findings made by the ECB’s Bowling Review Group.

⬇️ Read it here ⬇️https://t.co/NN4wDuvNn4 pic.twitter.com/b2Y6IqhOE5

— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) December 24, 2019

It is not the first time that the 39-year-old all-rounder’s bowling action has been questioned. The first time it happened was in 2005 during an ODI tri-series in Australia, and he has been suspended and cleared many times throughout his career.

He was most recently cleared to bowl by ICC in May 2018 and has been available to bowl in all ICC global events and matches after that.