Sunil Narine has been KKR’s go to bowler over the past four seasons of the IPL. (Source: BCCI)

West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine has been reported for a suspect illegal bowling action for the second time in the ongoing Champions League Twenty20 and he is set to be suspended from bowling in KKR’s final match in Bangalore on Saturday, according to reports.

ESPNcricinfo said that Narine was reported by the umpires after the first semi-final against Hobart Hurricanes here today. Narine took 1/24 in KKR’s seven-wicket win over Hurricanes.

“Kolkata Knight Riders’ Sunil Narine cannot bowl in the Champions League T20 final on Saturday, after he was reported for a second time in two matches for a suspect action,” a report in the ESPNcricinfo said.

“He was reported by the umpires after the semi-final against Hobart Hurricanes on Thursday, which Knight Riders had won by seven wickets. Earlier, he had been reported following their final group match, against Dolphins,” it said.

Former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri also said while commentating during the CLT20 second semifinals that Narine has been reported for the second time during the first semifinal between KKR and Hobart Hurricanes here today.

Narine has been reported by match officials for a suspected illegal bowling action following his side’s 36-run win over Dolphins in the CLT20 Group A match here on Monday.

Narine, under CLT20 guidelines, was placed on the tournament’s ‘warning list’ while allowing to play.

However, after his action was reported again today, he is set to be suspended from bowling for the remainder of the tournament.

HAFEEZ ALSO REPORTED

Pakistan’s spinning all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez today said he was surprised but not concerned after his bowling was reported in an Indian domestic tournament, adding he had no plans to modify his action.

The 33-year-old is key to Pakistan’s attack in their series against Australia which starts with a Twenty20 against Australia in Dubai on Sunday, particularly after the suspension of ace spinner Saeed Ajmal whose action was found to be illegal in testing last month.

The report by on-field umpires in the Indian tournament has no bearing on international cricket, but Pakistan coach Waqar Younis told AFP it would “shatter” the all-rounders confidence.

Hafeez, however, said he was unfazed. “I am surprised over my action being reported because I am bowling like this for the last 11 years,” he told AFP before departing for Dubai.

“I have played six major world events: two World Cups and three World Twenty20s and nobody had ever questioned my action, this is a big surprise for me,” he added.

The International Cricket Council began a crackdown on illegal bowling actions in June, deciding to strictly enforce its 15 degree limit on elbow flex — the point where a kink becomes visible to the naked eye.

The ICC suspended Sri Lanka’s Sachitra Senanayake and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson before Ajmal, while three more international bowlers have been reported and now face testing.

Hafeez said he doesn’t fear his action will be reported once he bowls at international level.

“I will bowl the same way I have been bowling throughout my career,” said Hafeez, who has 122 one-day and 45 Twenty20 wickets.

“I don’t bowl doosra,” he added, referring to the controversial delivery which turns the opposite direction to orthodox offspin. “I bowl simple off-breaks and that doesn’t come in chucking.”

Sunday’s Twenty20 will be followed by three one-days and two Tests.