Stuart Broad warned after tweet about Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal

Stuart Broad bowls during the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh in March (Getty)

Stuart Broad will receive a rap on the knuckles but no formal punishment over comments he made on Twitter about the Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal that seemed to question the legality of his action.

The comments prompted complaints from both Ajmal and the Pakistan Cricket Board to the England and Wales Cricket Board. Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, has reportedly provided assurances that Broad, England’s Twenty20 captain, will be reminded of his responsibilities, although he will not be fined.

Broad’s remarks followed a tweet by Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, that included an image of Ajmal bowling for Worcestershire during their recent Championship win over Essex with the caption: “You are allowed 15 degrees of flex in your delivery swing.... #justsaying.”

Broad replied: “This has to be a fake photo?!” before commenting in a subsequent tweet: “Bowlers can bowl very differently in a lab while being tested compared to needing wickets in the middle.”

Ajmal took 13 wickets against Essex, including a career-best 7 for 19. His action has been cleared by the International Cricket Council using procedures designed to ensure that the action a bowler uses in a match is reproduced exactly.