Hafeez going to retest

Pakistan are seeking to have the bowling action of allrounder Mohammad Hafeez cleared by the International Cricket Council in time for next month's ICC Cricket World Cup.

According to sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board has officially requested the ICC re-test Hafeez's action in the first week of February in the hope that he will be cleared for the tournament, which starts on February 14.

The off-spinner was suspended in December when it was determined that his action exceeded the 15-degree limit set by the ICC. He had been reported during Pakistan's Test series against New Zealand in November and then failed an official test at an ICC-accredited biomechanics testing laboratory in Loughborough, England.

Hafeez has taken 122 wickets in 153 ODIs and, despite the ban, is ranked No.11 in the world ODI bowling rankings and 15th in Twenty20s.

Hafeez was this month included in Pakistan's 15-man squad for the World Cup and will likely be retained in the squad as a batsman even if he is not permitted to bowl.