The heat's back on Saeed Ajmal as new storm brews over bowling action

The legality of the off-spinner's 'doosra' - the ball he turns away from the right-handed batsman - was questioned by former England captain Bob Willis during the First Test between Pakistan and England here, even though Ajmal's bowling action was cleared by the International Cricket Council in May 2009.

The ICC allow a bend in the arm of up to 15 degrees in a bowling action. Today, the governing body insisted there had been no change in their rules and that Ajmal must have been confused - but the remarks have already reached the attention of England coach Andy Flower.

Speaking in English - not his first language - Ajmal said today: "Somebody is telling me my action is bad. The ICC allow me to bowl 23.5 degrees because my arm is not good.

"A few years ago there was an accident and that's my problem.

"Otherwise, there is no problem with my action. I am straight away cleared by the ICC."

However, an ICC spokesman said today: "It is 15 degrees and anything over is not allowed. At no stage have the ICC allowed any bowler to bend their arm more than 15 degrees."

Ajmal was man of the series after his 24 wickets in three Tests, at an average of 14.7, helped Pakistan achieve an historic whitewash.

During the series, Flower refused to state publicly whether he believed Ajmal's action to be legal. Today, however, he said: "If that's the degree, then there's a problem. That's ridiculous. That is an ICC issue, though.

"They are there to police the game, and make sure that it is played within the rules - so they've got to scrutinise his action. We've all got our own views but our job is to combat whoever is put against us."

Pakistan boss Naveed Akram Cheema tried to defuse the row by saying: "Saeed was referring to the angle of elbow abduction - the angle of the upper arm to the forearm - and not the degree of elbow extension. This angle is approximately 23 degrees in Saeed's case.''

Flexing the arm from an angle during delivery could give a bowler the potential to impart greater spin on it or send it at greater speed towards the batsman.

Willis highlighted the issue during the First Test in Dubai, which the hosts won by 10 wickets. The England players refused to join the row but Willis said: "The doosra is the delivery that the batsmen are all struggling with. The authorities are now allowing these mystery spinners, unorthodox off-spinners to bend their elbow to a degree."

Ajmal was cleared by the ICC after tests in Perth, after which he said: "I felt like I was carrying a 50-kilo bag on my head."