Pakistan off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez faces a lengthy ban from bowling after his action was questioned again for a second time in seven months, the Cricinfo website reported on Monday.
The umpires reported Hafeez following Pakistan's 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Galle on Sunday, the website said quoting unnamed team management sources.
The International Cricket Council has not confirmed the report, which if true, could mark the end of the bowling career of the 34-year-old all-rounder.
Hafeez had been reported for a suspect action after the Abu Dhabi Test against New Zealand last November, but was cleared to resume bowling in April after being tested at a bio-mechanics clinic in Chennai.
Since then, he has bowled in nine international matches in Bangladesh, at home against Zimbabwe, and in Sri Lanka where he took two wickets in 20 overs in Galle.
Under ICC regulations, Hafeez will have to undergo testing within 21 days of receiving the official report. If his action is found illegal, he may not be allowed to bowl for a year.
But he can bowl till the test results are declared, effectively making him available for the remaining two Tests against Sri Lanka in Colombo (July 25-29) and Pallekele (July 3-7).
Hafeez, who made his international debut in 2003, has claimed 51 wickets in 43 Tests, 123 wickets in 161 one-dayers and 46 wickets in 62 Twenty20 matches. – AFP