Mohammad Hafeez Receives Show-cause Notice from PCB for Questioning ICC Rules

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) demanded an explanation from veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez regarding his recent comments on International Cricket Council (ICC) norms owing to the suspect bowling actions.

As a result, the cricketing board issued a show-cause notice to Hafeez as it breached their Code of Conduct. For those unaware, Hafeez’s action was deemed illegal by ICC for the third time in the last three years.

Hafeez registered his views during his interview with BBC Urdu where he questioned the regulations of the ‘system’.

The 37-year-old Hafeez, who represented Pakistan in over 330 international games, lashed out at the implementation of rules on bowling action.

“There are so many things influencing [who gets called for suspect actions]. It has a lot to do with the power of [some] boards and nobody wants to take them on,” Hafeez told BBC Urdu.

Further, Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise’s Peshawar Zalmi (PZ) stalwart alleged that mostly there are soft corners and relations between people which no one wants to spoil.

“What I say is, why not implement the rule and get every bowler in the world to go through [the testing process]. What’s the difficulty in that?” continued Hafeez.

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“So I have my doubts about this [calling system]. This is suspicious. Why are match referees or on-field umpires not able to see those flexing up to 35 but me with 16 degrees?” further ranted the Sargodha-based star.

Apparently, when asked, Hafeez mentioned that he received permission from PCB before giving the interview.

Also, Hafeez suggested that only a part of his one-hour-long interview was scrutinized, taking things out of context.

“People should read the entire interview and see in what context things were said not just focus on a few lines,” Hafeez concluded.

Hafeez’s action within 15 degrees tolerance:

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The out-of-favour Pakistani stalwart Mohammad Hafeez recently underwent a re-assessment of his bowling action at the Loughborough University in England.

According to the assessment, the angle of elbow extension was well within the 15 degrees allowance as per ICC Illegal bowling action.