Ajmal reported again for suspect action

Tuesday, 12 August 2014 00:29 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has been reported to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a suspect bowling action following the first test defeat by Sri Lanka in Galle on Sunday. “The match officials’ report, which was handed over to Pakistan team manager Moin Khan on Sunday, cited concerns over a number of deliveries that were considered to be suspect and concluded that the bowler’s action needed to be tested,” the ICC said in a statement. It is the second time the 36-year-old, who has taken 174 wickets in 34 tests at an average of 27.79, has faced question marks about his bowling after he was reported for a suspect action in 2009 but later cleared by the ICC. The governing body said Ajmal would undergo testing within 21 days but would be allowed to continue bowling during the review period. The spinner took 5-166 in Sri Lanka’s first innings in the Galle test but did not take enjoy success in the second as the hosts claimed a seven-wicket win on Sunday. The second and final test gets underway in Colombo on Thursday before three one-day internationals later this month. President congratulates victorious cricket team President Mahinda Rajapaksa congratulated the Sri Lankan Cricket Team who scored a thrilling victory in the first test match played against Pakistan in Galle on Sunday. President Rajapaksa, speaking via telephone to Captain Angelo Mathews, congratulated the Sri Lanka team for winning the first test beating Pakistan by 7 wickets. Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 7 wickets in the lase few minutes of the day five of the 1st Test match played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on Sunday and lead the two-match series 1-0. While Kumar Sangakkara scored a double century in the first innings, Rangana Herath took 6 wickets conceding 48 runs in the Pakistan’s second innings to ensure victory. Scores: Sri Lanka 533 for 9 dec (Sangakkara 221, Mathews 91, Ajmal 5-166) and 99 for 3 beat Pakistan 451 (Younis 177, Shafiq 75, Perera 5-137) and 180 (Sarfraz 52*, Herath 6-48) by seven wickets. Karunaratne returns to Test squad Opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne has been called up to Sri Lanka’s Test squad following a three-match layoff after the England tour. Binura Fernando, an uncapped 19-year old left-arm seamer, has also been added to the squad for the second Test against Pakistan, but is essentially there to perform 15th man duties. Sri Lanka team manager Michael de Zoysa said Fernando is unavailable for selection. The pair are replacements for fast bowlers Nuwan Pradeep, who had twisted his ankle during a training session, and Suranga Lakmal, who had been ruled out of the series with an ankle injury. SLC saidShaminda Eranga had also been “nominated” for the match, subject to his managing a hand injury sustained during the Galle Test against South Africa. Karunaratne’s inclusion leaves Upul Tharanga’s place at the top of the order in doubt, after Tharanga hit only one half-century in the six innings since he replaced Karunaratne in the side. Karunaratne had made 127 runs at 31.50 on the tour of England before he had been dropped. Angelo Mathews had said the selection panel had been disappointed Karunaratne had not converted his starts into bigger scores, during his time in the team. He averages 30.47 in Tests after 25 innings. Eranga bowled 45 overs in the first Test against Pakistan, but was seen receiving treatment on the boundary after many of those overs. He had needed eight stitches between the thumb and index finger of his bowling hand, after he split the webbing there while fielding. Though he will not play, Fernando has largely been picked on the strength of his performances for DS Senanayake College and the Sri Lanka Under-19 team. Known for his ability to generate awkward bounce from a height of 6’7”, and swing the ball, Fernando has been among the leading schoolboy-cricket names over the past two years, claiming 84 wickets in the 2013 season. Sangakkara regains No. 1 ranking Kumar Sangakkara is once again the No. 1 Test batsman in the world, following his double-century in Galle. His 221 helped Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the first Test. Sangakkara overhauled AB de Villiers and returned to the top of the rankings for the first time since November 2012. He has now spent a total of 81 Tests and 671 days as the top-ranked Test batsman. Sri Lanka’s captain, Angelo Mathews, has also moved up the rankings following his 91 and dashing 25 not out which won the Galle Test. Mathews, who has enjoyed an excellent run of form in Test cricket, has moved up to No. 5 - the highest ranking of his career. But the Galle victory was set up by left-arm spinner Rangana Herath who ran through Pakistan on the final day with 6 for 48. The performance pushed him up to No. 6 in the Test bowling rankings. England’s bowlers have also crept up the rankings following their hammering of India at Old Trafford. James Anderson’s five wickets moves him to No. 5 and Stuart Broad’s Man of the Match 6 for 25 in the first innings propels him back into the top 10 at No. 9. Broad is also back ahead of Mitchell Johnson in the allrounder rankings, which are now topped by India’s R Ashwin, who replaced Vernon Philander after scoring 40-odd in both innings at Old Trafford.