Pakistan's Hafeez reported for chucking again, faces one-year ban

Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez once again faces a harrowing task of getting his action cleared after the off-spinner was called for chucking during the team's 10-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle.

This is Hafeez's second offence within a year after the all-rounder's action was reported by the match officials post his two-wicket haul in the first innings against the hosts, according to ESPNcricinfo.

The opening batsman has to undergo further testing within 14 days and can continue bowling until the results are known, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement on Monday.

This effectively makes him available for the remaining two Tests against Sri Lanka.

According to ICC regulations, a bowler, who is under the scanner for a second offence, faces a bowling ban for a period of at least a year, only after which he will be eligible to apply for a reassessment of his action.

The former T20 skipper had been reported for a suspect action after the Abu Dhabi Test against New Zealand in November last year, and in December his action was found to be illegal following tests at an ICC accredited centre in Loughborough, England.

Hafeez, 34, who made his international debut in 2003, has bagged 51 wickets in 43 Tests and 123 scalps in 161 One-Day Internationals.

Image: Mohammad Hafeez of Pakistan bowls.

Photograph: Francois Nel/Getty Images