Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal has been suspended from bowling after the International Cricket Council ruled his action is illegal.
The 36-year-old’s career has been cast into jeopardy after tests in Brisbane revealed that all of his deliveries exceeded the permitted 15 degrees of bend in his arm.
Reports have suggested that the Pakistan Cricket Board could appeal the ban which would firstly see him ruled out of the upcoming Test and limited overs series against Australia in United Arab Emirates next month.
Ajmal was sent for testing in Australia after he was reported by the umpires during Pakistan’s seven-wicket defeatto Sri Lanka in the Galle Test last month.
"The International Cricket Council today confirmed that an independent analysis has found the bowling action of Pakistan's off-spinner Saeed Ajmal to be illegal and, as such, the player has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect,” an ICC statement read.
"The analysis revealed that all his deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations."
Ajmal was Worcestershire's overseas player earlier this season and took 63 wickets in nine LV= County Championship Division Two matches.
He will not be allowed to bowl again now until he modifies his action before applying for re-assessment.
He is the third cricketer to receive an international bowling ban for an illegal action in recent months, with Yorkshire’s Kane Williamson currently disqualified from bowling, while Sri Lanka's Sachithra Senanayake was suspended in July.
The news will come as a huge blow to Pakistan as Ajmal has been a star performer for them in all three formats.
Ajmal has played 35 Tests, 111 ODIs and 63 T20 internationals for Pakistan, taking 446 wickets in all three formats.