Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal was banned from bowling this year by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after tests revealed he bent his arm more than 15 degrees, the most allowed for a bowler. Even worse, the ICC found that all of Ajmal's deliveries were 'illegal' - in the sense that they were bowled with his arm bent excessively. His action was reported after Pakistan's first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle.

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While the loss of offspinner Ajmal is a big blow to the Pakistan cricket team especially with the World Cup coming up, this is not the first time that a bowler has been reported for his bowling action (called throwing or chucking).

This year, a number of bowlers were banned for 'chucking'. The fate of these bowlers still hangs in the balance. Apart from Saeed Ajmal, here are some other bowlers who got the short end of the stick:

1) Sachitra Senanayake (Sri Lanka): Senanayake's case was widely reported in the media. In June 2014, he was reported for suspect bowling action in an ODI against England at Lord's. Four deliveries sent down in the fourth one-day international at Lord’s were deemed to be in breach of the 15-degree elbow extension permitted under International Cricket Council rules. After analysis of his action, the ICC banned him with immediate effect. Senanayake is still serving his ban.

2) Kane Williamson (New Zealand): During the second Test against West Indies at Port of Spain, Trindad in June 2014, New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson was reported for suspect bowling action. In July, New Zealand Cricket said that the ICC had banned Williamson. He is still serving the ban.

3) Prosper Utseya (Zimbabwe): Prosper Utseya of Zimbabwe was banned for an illegal action. Utseya was reported after the third ODI against South Africa in Bulawayo in August.

4) Sohag Gazi (Bangladesh): Sohag Gazi is a lesser known Bangladeshi bowler. Gazi was reported after Bangladesh's second ODI against West Indies in St Georges in August. Both Utseya and Gazi were found to be flexing their arms much more than 15 degrees.

5) Sunil Narine (West Indies): Sunil Narine, like Saeed Ajmal, is an ace bowler. He is the one good bowler in West Indies' mediocre armoury. Ajmal, who plays for Kolkata Knight Riders too, was banned from bowling in the Champions League Twenty20 final in October, after he was reported for suspect action twice in two games.

This list only comprises well-known bowlers who have been banned after being reported for suspect action. In the past, umpires have directly called players for chucking and prevented them from bowling any further during the match. The most infamous case is that of Mutthaiah Muralitharan. Muralitharan was called by umpire Darrell Hair during Sri Lanka's tour of Australia in December 1995, and got embroiled in a very long, drawn out controversy that lasted years. 

The 15 degree limit remains a contentious issue in international cricket, with various present and former players expressing diverse opinions on the issue. The issue has been around for decades, though it has assumed prominence in the last twenty years or so. Interestingly, most bowlers who have been called or suspended for "chucking" in recent times have been premier bowlers for their respective teams, whose presence can drastically change the team's fortunes.

The year of 2014 has been especially unkind to bowlers, as the ICC has left no stone unturned in banning bowlers for suspect actions. With the World Cup looming, the issue has assumed serious proportions. This year though will go down as the watershed moment in the saga of illegal bowling.