Waqar Younis questions timing of reporting bowlers with suspect actions ahead of World Cup

Waqar Younis

Former Pakistan seamer and current coach of their national team Waqar Younis feels that questioning the legality of bowlers’ actions just before the World Cup upsets the rhythm of a side. The coach’s statement has come after Pakistan’s key player, Mohammad Hafeez was reported for a suspect bowling action in a Champions League T20 fixture.

”Is this the right time to enforce the protocols and the technology?” he was quoted saying to Pakistan Observer. “I am asking this because every team plans ahead of the World Cup, and the suspensions will badly hit the teams whose bowlers got suspended or questioned. I mean the protocols and the technology should have been enforced after the World Cup,” he said.

Although Hafeez’s case has only limited effect, within BCCI tournaments only, Waqar is worried for the cricketer’s mental state ahead of the World Cup scheduled in few months time. Notably, Pakistan’s leading spinner Saeed Ajmal was suspended from bowling in international cricket in September after test reports revealed that his elbow extended up to 43 degrees compared to the 15 allowed.

Rules need to be changed for doosra?

Bowlers getting reported for suspect action are primarily a resultant of their doosra, the delivery that spins the other way to an off-break. Waqar feels that a legal doosra cannot be delivered and calls for a solution to the same.

”When a bowler bowls a doosra, his elbow must bend beyond limits, that´s natural and I think a solution must be found,” he said on the variation.

Hafeez’s was not alone as he joined teammate Adnan Rasool on the warning list for this year’s CLT20. However, he will be suspended from bowling in matches conducted by BCCI in India subject to another report. Even though Hafeez came back strongly against Perth Scorchers in the last match of their campaign with miserly figures of 8/2 in 4 overs after getting reported, Waqar is worried for the player’s mental strength after the incident.

”I know they have reported him under a process but that is confidence-shattering for one of our key bowlers,” stated the former cricketer.

Hafeez’s action coming under the scanner has raised more concerned eyebrows in Pakistan as the nation suspended 16 bowlers recently from 30 reported ones.