Zimbabwe U19 spinner Victor Chirwa suspended from bowling in international cricket

ICC U19 World Cup is currently in progress in West Indies with as many as 16 teams fighting it out for the glory. Only a few matches of the group stage are left and Zimbabwe have been dealt with a huge blow. International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended their left-arm spinner Victor Chirwa from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect.

The spinner was reported for his action by the umpires during Zimbabwe’s game against Papua New Guinea. The Event panel then reviewed the footage of Chirwa’s bowling action and deemed it to be illegal.

“Chirwa was reported by the match officials during Zimbabwe’s match against Papua New Guinea on Saturday. Video footage of him bowling in the event was shared with the Event Panel for review. The Event Panel concluded that Chirwa employed an illegal bowling action and, as such, in accordance with Article 6.7 of the regulations, he is immediately suspended from bowling in international cricket. The Event Panel comprised members of the ICC Panel of Human Movement Specialists,” ICC said in a press release according to Cricbuzz.

Chirwa had returned with impressive figures of 2/11 in seven overs with three maidens against Papua New Guinea. Zimbabwe won that game by a huge margin of 228 runs as well. But the team lost to Pakistan by 115 runs and even Chirwa didn’t endure a memorable game leaking 73 runs without picking up a wicket. Zimbabwe are now placed at the third position in Group C behind Pakistan and Afghanistan. They will face Afghanistan in their final group game on January 24.