Hafeez confident about bowling action despite being reported in Indian domestic league

Despite being reported during an Indian domestic league game in September, Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has said that he is confident about his bowling action.

The veteran all-rounder is likely to open the batting with Ahmed Shehzad in the first of two Tests against Australia starting in Dubai from Wednesday. But in the absence of ace spinner Saeed Ajmal, who was suspended for an illegal bowling action last month, Hafeez would be required to serve as a fifth bowler.

Hafeez said that his bowling action worries were behind him. He said that nothing is on his mind over his bowling action, adding that when he was warned over his action in India he bowled in the next game and there were no problems, The Express Tribune reported.

And, Hafeez also said that he has also reviewed his action in the national academy in Lahore with Saqlain Mushtaq and as per the rules it's cleared.

Mushtaq, a former Pakistan spinner, is currently working on improving Ajmal's action.

The latest crackdown by the International Cricket Council (ICC), to keep a check on bowling action, puts Hafeez in danger of being reported in the first Test. His action was cleared after being reported in a one-day match against the West Indies in Brisbane back in 2005.

The all-rounder said that he has not changed his action and it is the same for 11 years now, so he is confident.

Under the ICC rules any bowler flexing his elbow more than 15 degrees is liable to be reported for a suspect bowling action, the report added.