cricket News: ICC clears Saeed Ajmal's bowling action

Dubai: Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal, who was reported for suspect bowling action during the recent ODI series against Australia, was on Sunday cleared by the International Cricket Council.

A comprehensive analysis by human movement specialist Bruce Elliott confirmed that the amount of elbow extension in Ajmal's action for all deliveries was within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted in the ICC regulations, the game's highest governing body said in a statement.

"Ajmal can continue to bowl in international cricket on the basis he uses an action consistent to that used in the latest independent analysis of his action.

"However, it is important to emphasise that no bowler is ever cleared as it is impossible to predict how a player might deliver the ball in the future," ICC general manager (Cricket) David Richardson said.

A copy of Elliott's report on the 31-year-old right-arm spinner has been forwarded to the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Ajmal was reported by umpires Asad Rauf and Billy Bowden as well as third umpire Zameer Haider and fourth umpire Nadeem Ghouri at the conclusion of Pakistan's second ODI in Dubai on April 24.