The International Cricket Council (ICC) has declared Pakistan spin maestro Saeed Ajmal’s bowling action as illegal, against the backdrop of which Ajmal will not be able to bowl at any international forum.

Not only ‘doosra’, ICC also declared Ajmal’s off-spinner as illegal and enforced a ban on world’s top-ranked spinner.

“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 release said.

“The analysis revealed that all his deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to appeal against the decision.

Ajmal’s action was declared suspect by field umpires Ian Gould and Bruce Oxenford during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Aug 11 over a number of deliveries that were considered to be suspect.

The 36-year-old spinner travelled to Australia where he had tests conducted on his action.

Ajmal, who has taken 178 wickets in 35 Tests, was one of five bowlers that were reported for having suspect actions since a worldwide crackdown began in June.

Ajmal’s mystery ball and the one under most scrutiny was his doosra, the away spinner delivered by an arm which often needs to straighten to get maximum whip.

The current law allowed bowlers to flex their elbow at an angle of 15 degrees. This has been the case for a decade, with the law introduced due to bowlers such as Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralidaran who was proved to have a medical condition which meant he had a permanently bent elbow.