Saeed Ajmal: Pakistan spinner ready to test bowling action

Saeed Ajmal has taken 178 Test wickets since making his Pakistan debut in 2009 against Sri Lanka

Pakistan are hopeful Saeed Ajmal will pass a bowling test in time to play in the World Cup, starting in February.

The off-spinner was reported for a suspect action during the first Test with Sri Lanka in August, and banned from bowling the following month.

Ajmal, 37, has been working with former Pakistan bowler Saqlain Mushtaq and is ready to undergo informal tests.

"Ajmal is vital to our chances in the World Cup," Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan said.

"So we will follow all the permitted routes to get him cleared."

Ajmal's action breached the 15-degree level of tolerance allowed for bowlers to straighten their arm and the PCB chief added: "Once he clears the informal test we will than ask the International Cricket Council to test so he can be cleared before the World Cup."

Ajmal is Pakistan's leading wicket-taker in all formats of the game over the course of the last three years.

During his absence, Pakistan were defeated by Australia in their lone Twenty20 meeting, and were beaten 3-0 in the three-match ODI series held in the United Arab Emirates earlier this month.