Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has been banned from bowling in International Cricket with immediate effect by the International Cricket Council.  

The ban was implemented after he was found to have an illegal bowling action during the Sri Lankan tour.

He was later taken back to the squad after he returned back from Australia after preliminary examinations.

Australian media reported that the 37-year-old was scrutinized by ICC officials at Cricket Australia's hi-tech National Cricket Centre in Brisbane a fortnight ago after he was reported during Pakistan's Test series against Sri Lanka last month.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the ICC said the testing determined Ajmal's action was illegal.

"The International Cricket Council today confirmed that 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.

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

"Saeed, who was reported after the first Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle last month, can apply a re-assessment after he has modified his bowling action in accordance with clause 2.4 of the Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions.

"The analysis was performed on 25 August by the ICC’s accredited team of Human Movement Specialists using the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane."

The ban means Ajmal has all but been ruled out of the upcoming matches against Australia in the United Arab Emirates.

Ajmal will now be required to undergo remedial work on his action and pass the ICC's testing if he is to be cleared to return to action.

Ajmal, currently ranked the No.1 bowler in the world for ODIs, and fourth in T20s, has taken 178 wickets in 35 Tests, 183 wickets in 111 ODIs and 85 wickets in 63 T20 internationals. He is currently rated ninth by the ICC in the Test bowler rankings.

Ajmal is the third off-spinner since July to be banned for an illegal action after Sri Lanka's Sachithra Senanayake and New Zealand's Kane Williamson were also suspended after undergoing official testing.

Zimbabwe allrounder Prosper Utseya and Bangladesh off-spinner Sohag Gazi are required to undergo testing soon after both were reported for a suspected illegal action last month. (with inputs from Cricket Australia)