Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to have a reassessment of Muhammad Hafeez's bowling action prior to the World Cup beginning February 14.
A PCB official said on Wednesday that Hafeez was likely to appear in the test on February 4 in Brisbane, Australia.
"We have formally requested the ICC to hold the official reassessment of his bowling action as soon as possible so that he can try to get his action cleared for the World Cup which begins from Feb 14," the official said.
A reliable source said that the Pakistan team management had advised the board to allow them to work further and test out Hafeez's modified bowling action in New Zealand this month before he can go ahead with the reassessment.
Hafeez's place in the playing eleven in the World Cup remains in serious doubt if he fails to clear the ICC bowling test as since being suspended from bowling in international cricket in November he has twice failed to clear informal assessments in England and Chennai.
"Yes he failed to clear those informal tests but he showed marked improved with his modified action in these tests with his deliveries being recorded between 12 to 18 degrees angle," the PCB official said.
The Pakistan team is counting heavily on Hafeez clearing the test and being allowed to bowl in the World Cup as he has been a vital cog of the bowling attack in one-day matches for the last few years and taken 122 wickets overall.
"If Hafeez is not able to bowl in the ICC World Cup than the tour selection committee might opt to open with wicketkeeper, Sarfaraz Ahmed and play an allrounder or bowler down the order," the source said.
Pakistan's other suspended off-spinner Saeed Ajmal is also due to fly to Chennai on January 23 for his official ICC reassessment but he has not been named in the World Cup squad.
