Ajmal to miss part of his side's one-day series against SLanka due to tests on his bowling action.

KARACHI (AFP) - Under-scrutiny Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal will miss part of his side's one-day series against Sri Lanka as he undergoes tests on his bowling action in Australia, officials said Friday.

The 37-year-old, ranked number one in one-day internationals and Pakistan's main bowling weapon, had his action reported as suspect during the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle earlier this month.

Under International Cricket Council (ICC) rules Ajmal is required to clear his action from an accredited biomechanics lab within 21 days of the report, but he is free to play until then.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed said Ajmal will have tests in Brisbane.

"Ajmal will be sent to Brisbane to undergo tests and a PCB official will go with him," Ahmed told AFP. "The team management is arranging for his travel from Sri Lanka."

Team manager Moin Khan said Ajmal is in Hambantota where Pakistan will play the first of three one-day internationals on Saturday.

"If he gets a flight on Friday then he will miss the first one-day (match) but we are trying to get him back by August 26 in time for the next game a day later in Colombo," Khan told AFP.

The third and final match is in Dambulla on August 30.

Ajmal's action was first reported in 2009 but he was cleared as there were only doubts over his "doosra," a special delivery which turns the other way than a normal off-spin.

However, this time match officials have raised concerns over several deliveries including some bowled from over the wicket, raising threats he could face a ban and would need remedial work on his action.

Sri Lanka's Sachitra Senanayake and New Zealand's Kane Williamson -- both off-spinners -- were also reported and subsequently banned from bowling after their actions were reported last month.

Senanayake has undergone remedial work in Western Australian University last week but will have to wait a report from the University to get clearance.

The Pakistan team will be hit hard if Ajmal is banned as they face tough series against Australia and New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates from October to December.

He is also a crucial part of Pakistan's lineup for the World Cup in February-March next year.

Ajmal has so far taken 178 Tests 182 one-day wickets. He is the leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 internationals with 85.
 

BULAWAYO: South Africa rested captain AB de Villiers and handed debuts to top-order batsman Rilee Rossouw and left-arm seamer Mthokozisi Shezi for Thursday´s third and final one-day international against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

Faf du Plessis therefore took the reins for the Proteas, who already hold a 2-0 lead in the series, and won the toss and opted to field at Queens Sports Club.

South Africa had already confirmed that opener Hashim Amla would be rested, while Imran Tahir also made way as fast bowler Marchant de Lange played his first international in more than two years.

Zimbabwe made three changes to their side, which included the bold decision to drop premier batsman Brendan Taylor.

Malcolm Waller came in for Taylor, while leg spinner Tafadzwa Kamungozi and medium-pacer Tinashe Panyangara replaced seamers Neville Madziva and Brian Vitori.

BULAWAYO: South Africa rested captain AB de Villiers and handed debuts to top-order batsman Rilee Rossouw and left-arm seamer Mthokozisi Shezi for Thursday´s third and final one-day international against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

Faf du Plessis therefore took the reins for the Proteas, who already hold a 2-0 lead in the series, and won the toss and opted to field at Queens Sports Club.

South Africa had already confirmed that opener Hashim Amla would be rested, while Imran Tahir also made way as fast bowler Marchant de Lange played his first international in more than two years.

Zimbabwe made three changes to their side, which included the bold decision to drop premier batsman Brendan Taylor.

Malcolm Waller came in for Taylor, while leg spinner Tafadzwa Kamungozi and medium-pacer Tinashe Panyangara replaced seamers Neville Madziva and Brian Vitori.

PALLEKELE: Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews elected to bat after winning the toss against Bangladesh in the third and final one-day international in Pallekele on Thursday.

Sri Lanka won the first one-dayer by eight wickets in Hambantota, while the second match at the same venue was abandoned due to rain.

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga.

Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), Jahurul Islam, Anamul Haque, Mohammad Ashraful, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Nasir Hossain, Mominul Haque, Sohag Gazi, Shahadat Hossain, Abdur Razzak, Ziaur Rahman.

Umpires: Nigel Llong (ENG) and Ruchira Palliyaguruge (SRI)

TV umpire: Tyron Wijewardene (SRI)

Match referee: David Boon (AUS)
(AFP)