Hasnain to face action test after BBL umpire report

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain will undergo biomechanical testing on his bowling action in Lahore after being reported by KFC BBL umpires for a suspect action in his very first appearance in the competition.

A combination of Queensland's border restrictions and the Pakistan Cricket Board's early recall of players for the Pakistan Super League meant the 21-year-old could not be tested in Australia.

However, Cricket Australia will retain jurisdiction over the analysis of Hasnain's biomechanical test and will determine if his action is legal or not under the strict protocols set out by the International Cricket Council.

The ICC will also recognise any verdict of an illegal bowling action, if that is what CA's bowling review group finds.

That would mean Hasnain, who has already played eight ODIs and 18 T20 internationals, would be banned from bowling during Australia's forthcoming drought-breaking tour of the country in March where three ODIs and a one-off T20 are scheduled to be played.

However, under the ICC's regulations, the Pakistan Cricket Board has the option to allow Hasnain to continue to bowl in the upcoming PSL, regardless of the result of the biomechanical testing.

The ICC's 'regulations for the review of bowlers reported with suspected illegal bowling actions' states: "where a player has been suspended from bowling ... their National Cricket Federation may (but shall be under no obligation to) permit the player to continue to bowl in their own domestic competitions."

Hasnain is understood to have been reported by umpires for an apparent straightening of the arm in some deliveries after the Thunder's game against the Adelaide Strikers on January 2, his BBL debut.

The 21-year-old had made an immediate impact on the competition when he took three wickets in his opening over.

Under CA's procedures for suspected illegal bowling actions in domestic competitions, Hasnain was required to be tested at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane within 14 days and before his departure from Australia.

Queensland's border rules prevented Hasnain from flying to Brisbane for the test until he had been in the country for 14 days, and he missed the Thunder's game against the Scorchers on the Gold Coast on January 6 for the same reason.

Cricket NSW had arranged for the biomechanical testing to be done in Brisbane, but the PCB then recalled Hasnain and other Pakistan players Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan and Fakhar Zaman from the BBL.

That recall took some clubs by surprise, with the Brisbane Heat confirming the PCB had "rescinded its permission" for Fakhar to play out the regular season.

"Unfortunately, the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed it had rescinded its permission for Fakhar to play our remaining games, along with all Pakistan players currently involved in the BBL and summonsed him to return immediately to prepare for the Pakistan Super League," the Heat said in a statement just hours before its match with the Stars on January 16.

CA's regulations allow bowlers that have been reported for a suspect action to continue to bowl until the results of their biomechanical test have been analysed.

Hasnain played four more games for the Thunder after being reported, although it became widely known amongst players his action was under scrutiny.

Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques told Hasnain "nice throw, mate" repeatedly during a spicy Sydney derby last Saturday in what was Hasnain's final match for the Thunder this season.

Cricket NSW's head of male cricket Michael Klinger said he hoped Hasnain would return to the club in future.

"Hasnain was a very popular member of the Sydney Thunder and made a positive impression both on and off the field," Klinger said in a statement.

"The Thunder fully support his endeavours to clear his action and hope to see him back at the club in the future."

Hasnain took seven wickets in his five games in BBL|11, with an economy rate of 6.00 and average of 15.71.