Ajmal faces the test in comeback bid

Saeed ajmal bowls during a practice session. — Reuters file

Dubai: Pakistan’s spin wizard, Saeed Ajmal, is ready to cross the first hurdle to get his International Cricket Council (ICC) ban lifted. According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) the most successful of spinner in recent time is ready to go for tests with the new improved action.

Ajmal’s tutor in correcting bowling action, former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, has said that Ajmal had rectified his action to the permissible limits (15 degrees) and is ready to undergo a test to return to cricket.

Pakistani chief selector Moin Khan, while talking to Khaleej Times, said: “It is a great news for Pakistan cricket that Saeed is ready to make a comeback.

“This will not be an easy task and there will be many more hurdles to overcome. First he has to get clearance from International Cricket Council after undergoing tests,” the former Pakistan stumper said.

“It may be a bit early to talk about his comeback but I appreciate Saqlain’s hard work to correct Ajmal’s action. If it happens (comeback), the credit will definitely go to Saqlain and the PCB. The PCB will first send Ajmal, who was barred from bowling in international cricket for an illegal action, for an informal review,” chairman Shaharyar Khan announced in Karachi on Tuesday.

“Saqlain has given a positive report that Ajmal has managed to remodel his bowling action to within the permissible limits of the ICC. He and Ajmal are both ready to go for the informal tests,” Khan said.

“Once he clears the informal test we will than ask the ICC to test out Ajmal so that he can be cleared before the World Cup.” Ajmal has been Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker for the last few years and his absence is being felt in the camp as Pakistan lost all four matches (a T20, three ODIs) against Australia in the UAE.

“Ajmal is vital to our chances in the World Cup so we will follow all the permitted routes to get him cleared by the ICC,” Khan stressed. Meanwhile, Khan, a former diplomat, visited Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India to drum up support for the return of international cricket to Pakistan, said international cricket will resume in Pakistan in near future.

“I had some positive discussions during my tour and from 2015 onwards I am hopeful that representative cricket will return to Pakistan,” he said. “Some associate countries like Ireland and Afghanistan are also ready to send their teams to Pakistan.”

liaqat@khaleejtimes.com