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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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			<title>Tour of South Africa: Ajmal geared up for sterner test</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/491713/tour-of-south-africa-ajmal-geared-up-for-sterner-test</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/491713/tour-of-south-africa-ajmal-geared-up-for-sterner-test#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 09 Jan 13 20:59:39 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[fawad.hussain]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=491713</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan off-spinner aims to top Test rankings against the Proteas.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Instead of dwelling on his brilliant performance against India, Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal is focusing on the upcoming tour of South Africa where he aims to become the top-ranked Test bowler. 


Pakistan are scheduled to depart for South Africa later this month for a full series comprising three Tests, two Twenty20s and five One-Day Internationals against the hosts from January 25 to March 24.  Although the assignment is dubbed as the toughest one this year, the off-spinner remains optimistic about his team’s prospects.

“England were on top when we outclassed them,” Ajmal told The Express Tribune, referring to the 3-0 whitewash. “I’m aware that conditions in South Africa will be different to Dubai but we have the potential to perform anywhere.

“We were doubted for our ability to win in India but we proved that we can play under intense pressure that is always associated when these teams face-off.”

‘Type of pitch does not
matter’

Ajmal seemed unfazed by the fact that the South Africa tracks favour fast-bowlers more than spinners.



“I think that does not make a major difference. I believe that hard work can yield good results anywhere. I am the team’s strike bowler and everyone expects wickets from me. I will give my best to play a leading role for my team again.”

Ajmal said his individual target during the tour is to overcome Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander in the bowlers’ rankings for Tests.

“It’s my dream to go on top in all formats, with Test rankings the main aim. It will be a memorable achievement of the tour if I get ahead of the world’s two top bowlers who are both South African. I aim to repeat the performance I gave against England. This tour is special for me and I have already started training for it despite the gruelling couple of weeks in India.”

Ajmal likely to return to BBL 

Meanwhile, Ajmal – who played only the first game for his Big Bash League team Adelaide Strikers before returning to participate in the India tour – is expected to rejoin the Twenty20 team in Australia if they qualify for the tournament’s semi-finals.

According to an official, the off-spinner has been given an NOC by the board to feature in the final. He is likely to depart on January 13.

Strikers will face Perth Scorchers in their last league game Thursday, which will determine their position as three semi-final spots are yet to be contested.
The semi-finals will be played on January 15 and 16 with the final slated for January 19.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 10th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Ajmal not done with Sri Lanka yet</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/374147/ajmal-not-done-with-sri-lanka-yet</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/374147/ajmal-not-done-with-sri-lanka-yet#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 04 May 12 18:28:54 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[fawad.hussain]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Off-spinner eager to spin more magic; looks forward to next months’ tour.]]>
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				<![CDATA[After wreaking havoc against England at the start of the year, Pakistan’s wily off-spinner Saeed Ajmal is now aiming to flatten Sri Lanka on next month’s tour.


Ajmal, the top Test and One-Day International (ODI) spinner in the world, bagged 18 wickets against Sri Lanka in the Test series that took place late last year in the UAE and wants to emulate his performance against England.

His show in Pakistan’s 1-0 Test-series win over Sri Lanka earned him the man-of-the-series award. However, it is believed that his influence may be limited during the forthcoming series due to Sri Lanka batsmen’s increased comfort-level at home. But Ajmal has remained determined as ever.

“They will definitely enjoy home advantage,” Ajmal told The Express Tribune. “But as far as playing in Sri Lanka is concerned, we’re also aware of the conditions as we have played a lot in the country and there should be no major issues. I also know that Sri Lankan batsmen read spin better than England’s. But I did well against Sri Lanka in the UAE and I’m confident that I can repeat my performance. It all depends on how you control the batsmen and I believe I am good at it. They’re good but so am I.”

‘No new delivery’    

Meanwhile, Ajmal said he was working hard at perfecting the spin arsenal he possesses already.

“There’s no new delivery in my plan. I’m focusing on perfecting the deliveries which I already have like the doosra and teesra. I take every assignment very seriously and I work very hard. I’m doing the same for this series and I’m hopeful that it will pay back.”

Pakistan play two Twenty20s before five ODIs and three Tests from June 1 to July 12.

‘Skipped county stint to focus on Australia series’  

Ajmal refused a second stint with English county side Worcestershire this season despite being free to play a few games in the Friends Life T20 campaign.

He turned down the offer altogether, however, even though there is a month’s break between the Sri Lanka and Australia series in August.

“I gave it a thought but I want to focus on the series against Australia which is another major assignment. After a lengthy Sri Lanka tour, I will rest before starting training for the Australia series. I don’t want to be exhausted because the matches against Australia will be our last before the ICC World Twenty20.”
Pakistan are expected to play their ‘home’ series in Sri Lanka which will see them play five ODIs and three Twenty20s against Australia from the second week of August.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 5th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Saeed Ajmal climbs to 2nd spot in ICC Test rankings</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/328894/saeed-ajmal-climbs-to-2nd-spot-in-icc-test-rankings</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/328894/saeed-ajmal-climbs-to-2nd-spot-in-icc-test-rankings#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 29 Jan 12 11:28:52 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Abdur Rehman ranks 9th, entering the top 10 bowlers list for first time in career.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal climbed to the second position in the ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers after Pakistan defeated England by 72 runs in the second Test on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.

Abdur Rehman also made it to the top 10 Test bowlers for the first time in his career, by making his way to the number nine spot, said a press release by ICC on Sunday.

Ajmal, 34, earned 50 ratings points for this achievement giving him a career-best rating, and now leads England's fast bowler James Anderson by 25 ratings points but still trails number-one ranked Dale Steyn of South Africa by 84 ratings points.

Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman, who had figures of two for 67 and six for 25 to win the man of the match award, jumped five places to ninth spot. The 31-year-old from Sialkot had also gained five places in the bowlers' rankings after his match figures of four for 89 in the Dubai Test.

It is for the first time after 23 years that two Pakistan spinners have together made it to the top 10 of the Test player rankings.

In September 1988, Abdul Qadir was ranked fifth and Iqbal Qasim tenth, along with Imran Khan (third), Wasim Akram (eighth) and Tauseef Ahmed (13th).

The very fact that Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez are currently the two top-ranked ODI bowlers means this is undoubtedly one of the finest periods for Pakistan spinners in the history of the game, said the press release.]]>
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			<title>Ajmal action not my problem, says Trott</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/325048/ajmal-action-not-my-problem-says-trott</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/325048/ajmal-action-not-my-problem-says-trott#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 21 Jan 12 11:56:50 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[afp]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[England batsman refuses to be drawn into the ongoing controversy over Pakistani off-spinner Saeed Ajmal’s action.]]>
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				<![CDATA[England batsman Jonathan Trott on Saturday refused to be drawn into the ongoing controversy over Pakistani off-spinner Saeed Ajmal’s action, saying it was up to the game’s governing body and officials to decide.

The prelude to the three-Test series was surrounded by Ajmal’s mystery delivery which he claimed to unveil against England.

Ajmal took a career best 7-55 and 3-42 to help Pakistan rout England by ten wickets inside three days, triggering doubts over the legitimacy of his bowling action which was already questioned and cleared in 2009.

Former England paceman Bob Willis sparked the controversy by saying he has problems with Ajmal’s doosra – a delivery bowled with the same action but turns the other way than an off-break.

When asked about Ajmal's action, Trott said: “It’s not really my place, I’ve played against the bowler before and we’ve been pretty successful.

“With regards to delivery action and stuff, that wouldn’t be beneficial for us to worry about the legitimacy of someone’s action, it’s important that we won the next game and don’t take our attention off that,” said Trott.

“It’s their (on-field umpires) job, it’s not our job to do anything with regards to opposition players, we’ve got to worry about ourselves. The fact of the matter is we are 1-0 down and we’ve got to win the next match.”

The second Test starts in Abu Dhabi from January 25. Dubai will stage the third and final Test from February 3-7. The teams will also play four one-day and three Twenty20 internationals.

Trott, 30, praised Ajmal but refused to accept England needed specific preparations against him.

“Of course, whenever somebody takes ten wickets whether seamer or spinner, I don’t think you go around preparing for a specific type of bowling or a person you try and make sure that your game is in good order,” said Trott.

Trott said he was confident England can stage a comeback.

“Since I have been a part of this team for two and a bit years, we’ve had a few losses, but we have managed to bounce back in the following games, so it’s a case of hopefully being able to do that again,” he said.

England team director Andy Flower said he has his own views on Ajmal’s action.

“I don’t think that (Ajmal’s action) has got into the guys heads,” said Flower on Friday.

“Our job is to deal with whatever bowlers bowl against us and the ICC’s job is to police the guy. I have got my own private views and talking about them here is not going to help any situations,” said Flower.

Flower accepted England’s three-day capitulation was a shock.

“It was a bit of a shock. We played and batted poorly. Test cricket is a tough game. If you give people an opening like that they will punish you. The Pakistan side is good enough to do that,” said Flower, a former Zimbabwe batsman.]]>
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			<title>A clinical finish</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/324605/a-clinical-finish</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/324605/a-clinical-finish#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 12 16:20:05 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[There are many things we expect from the Pakistan cricket team but boring consistency isn’t one of them.]]>
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				<![CDATA[There are many things we expect from the Pakistan cricket team but boring consistency isn’t one of them. Yet, captain Misbahul Haq has so thoroughly moulded the team in his own image that it is scarcely recognisable from the thrilling but infuriating Pakistan teams of the past. Not every Pakistani has taken to Misbah, who bats as if in a stupor and captains a team that is short on the tear-away fast bowlers the likes of which have come to be taken for granted in Pakistan. But at some point, substance has to trump flashy style. Misbah has now reached that point.

It certainly helps that the captain has in his team Saeed Ajmal, arguably the best spinner in the world. Ajmal — who had already got into the English batsmen’s minds by talking up his new delivery, the teesra — proved to be simply unplayable and ended up bamboozling the strongest batting line-up in the world. He was ably supported by Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema, Abdur Rehman and Mohammed Hafiz. Team Misbah is certainly not going to win any awards for style and charisma, in both bowling and batting, but they have shown a ruthlessness and, more importantly, an ability to win that his predecessors lacked.

Misbah takes the same approach to his batting. Where previous Pakistani batting line-ups had a tendency to frequently capitulate, Misbah, through sheer bloody-mindedness, holds our batting together. He may be one of the dullest batsmen around but he gets the job done — in painfully excruciating fashion. New batsmen like Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq have followed his example. They may not possess the wristy excellence that has come to be associated with Pakistani batsmen but they have proved worthy of blunting bowling attacks into oblivion. Even our fielding, while still well below international standard, is not as clownish as before. Above all, by winning so frequently, Misbah has exorcised the ghosts of our spot-fixing past. For that, he deserves the gratitude of the nation.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>England's destroyer Ajmal is world's best spinner</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/324584/englands-destroyer-ajmal-is-worlds-best-spinner</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/324584/englands-destroyer-ajmal-is-worlds-best-spinner#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 12 12:50:40 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[afp]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=324584</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Ajmal termed his top ranking as a &quot;great honour.&quot;]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistani off-spinner Saeed Ajmal on Friday rose to the position of world's highest ranking spinner a day after guiding his team to a comprehensive ten wicket win in the first Test against England inside three days.

The 34-year-old registered his second ten-wicket haul, a career best 7-55 in the first innings and 3-42 in the second to help Pakistan take a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series.

Ajmal termed his top ranking as a "great honour."

"It's a great honour to be the best spinner in the world but performing in my team's win is always more important for me than anything else," Ajmal said.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) added: "Ajmal earned 117 ratings points for his magnificent bowling performance, now has England’s second-ranked James Anderson firmly within his sights who has 37 more ratings points."

Given that Ajmal is still in a qualification period for bowlers, it is likely that he will move even further up the ladder depending on how he performs in the second Test which starts in Abu Dhabi on January 25, the ICC said.

South African paceman Dale Steyn tops the bowlers' list with 896 rating points.

Ajmal has also leapfrogged England's off-spinner Graeme Swann who has slipped one position to fourth, while Ajmal's spin partner Abdul Rehman has also leapt five places which has put him in a career best 14th position.

The latest rankings have brought bad news for England batsmen.

England opener Alastair Cook and Ian Bell, who entered in third and fourth positions respectively, have slipped two and three positions respectively, while Kevin Pietersen has fallen out of the top 10.

Pietersen, who scored two and nought in the Dubai Test, has lost six places and is now in 16th position while England captain Andrew Strauss has also dropped six places to 34th spot.

The only England batsmen to make any upward movements are wicketkeeper Matt Prior in 18th (up by one) and Swann in 64th (up by 11).

In contrast, the Pakistan batsmen have made positive gains with Younus Khan in fourth (up by two), captain Misbahul Haq in 14th (up by three), Mohammad Hafeez in 30th (up by 15), Taufeeq Umar in 32nd (up by six) and wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal in 70th (up by 23).]]>
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			<title>1st Test: Gul-dozed, Aj-mauled, simply blasted</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/324178/1st-test-gul-dozed-aj-mauled-simply-blasted</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/324178/1st-test-gul-dozed-aj-mauled-simply-blasted#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 12 20:04:26 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[afp]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan blast top-ranked England by 10 wickets inside three days.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The victory came all too easy, according to Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq, as his team won by 10 wickets inside three days against world cricket’s number-one ranked Test side England.


Fast-bowler Umar Gul, spinners Abdur Rehman and Saeed Ajmal were among the wickets as the tourists crumbled to 160 in their second-innings, leaving Pakistan just 15 to win at the Dubai Cricket Stadium.

“We didn’t expect it to be so easy for us,” said a delighted Misbah as Pakistan gained a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. “Ajmal put us on the path to victory. Rehman and Mohammad Hafeez are contributing as well. It was a team effort as the conditions are not the easiest for batting here.

“After the 2010 series, the players wanted to improve. I’d also like to congratulate the curator for this wicket.”

Strauss promises fightback

Meanwhile, England captain Andrew Strauss was a disappointed man but vowed a fightback.

“Obviously it’s disappointing to lose in this manner,” said Strauss. “We lost five early wickets and it’s disappointing to bat like this but we are not going to press the panic button and will show resilience in the second match.

“But credit to Pakistan. Restricting them to 338 was good enough for us but they were very solid.”

Gul dismissed Strauss (six) before lunch and then accounted for Alastair Cook (five) and Kevin Pietersen (nought) in his hostile nine-over first spell on a spin-friendly pitch. Rehman (three for 37) and Saeed Ajmal (three for 42) – his second 10-wicket haul in Tests – supplemented Gul to help Pakistan bundle out England, who trailed by 146 in the second-innings.

Pakistan reached the required 15-run target in 3.4 overs to hand England their first defeat in 10 Tests - their last was when they lost to Australia in the 2010 Ashes.

England’s batsmen, wrecked by Ajmal’s career-best seven for 55 in their first-innings of 192, were again clueless against the spin and played some rash shots as they sought to score runs on the pace of Gul. Earlier, Adnan had boosted Pakistan’s lead with a gutsy second Test half-century. Adnan scored a career-best 61, adding another 50 runs after Pakistan resumed at 288 for seven.

Ajmal looking ahead

Ajmal, who was adjudged man of the match, was looking forward for a repeat show in the second Test.

“It is a very happy day for me,” he said. “I did not get any turn on the first day though but I am looking forward to the next match. Hopefully, I will try the teesra in that game.”

Ramiz Raja

“Pakistan are playing like a well-oiled unit and every player appears to be aware of his role. Misbah has led the side well. They now play the game at their own pace and wait for the opponents to wilt under pressure.”

A slideshow of pictures from the match can be viewed here.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>First test: Compelling Pakistan beat England in swift victory</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/324031/england-bowl-out-pakistan-for-338-in-first-test</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/324031/england-bowl-out-pakistan-for-338-in-first-test#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 12 13:00:28 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[afp]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan take 1-0 lead in the three-match series; Ajmal continues glorious run with 10-97.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Mercurial Pakistan have done it once again.

In what can be called a historic win against top-ranked England, Pakistan cruised to a compelling victory when England collapsed for 160. Pakistan were left with just 15 runs to chase to seal the match on the third day of the first test.

Opener Mohammad Hafeez hit three fours to reach the meagre 15-run target, after he walked on the crease with partner Taufeeq Umar.

Spinner Saeed Ajmal continued his glorious run in the match, finishing at 10-97 – his second 10-wicket haul in Tests. Spin partner Abdul Rehman recorded a 3-37.

But it was paceman Umar Gul who rocked England on Thursday with figures of 4-63. The 27-year-old fast bowler dismissed Andrew Strauss (six) before lunch and then accounted for Alastair Cook (five) and Kevin Pietersen (nought) in his hostile nine-over first spell on a spin-friendly Dubai Stadium pitch.

Pakistan notched the required 15 runs in 3.4 overs to hand England their first defeat in 10 Tests, since losing to Australia at Perth in the 2010 Ashes. The second Test starts in Abu Dhabi from January 25.

England's batsmen, wrecked by Ajmal's career-best 7-55 in their first innings of 192, were again clueless against the spin and played some rash shots as they sought to score runs on the pace of Gul.

Jonathan Trott top-scored with 49, but fell to an irresponsible shot, trying to force a short delivery from Gul and being caught by wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal, who finished the match with seven catches.

Trott, who passed the boundary of 2,000 runs when he reached 18 in his 24th Test, hit six boundaries during his 111-ball knock but became Gul's 150th wicket in his 41st Test.

Misbah surprised at exhilarating win

Pakistan skipper Misbahul Haq admitted he had not expected to win so comfortably. “We didn’t expect that it would come so easily,” he said. “Ajmal put us in a strong position with his seven wickets in the first innings and we batted well to take a good lead.”

Strauss expressed frustration over his side’s abject surrender. “Obviously it’s disappointing to lose in this manner,” he said. “We lost five early wickets and it’s disappointing to bat like this but we are not going to press the panic button and will show resilience in the second match.”

England had another disastrous start as Strauss was adjudged caught behind, pushing Gul to the leg side and seeing the ensuing edge well taken by the wicket-keeper. Strauss instantly challenged the verdict but was left to trudge off the field after television umpire Steve Davis of Australia upheld the original decision.

Soon after the lunch break, Gul produced a sharp rising delivery that caught Cook in two minds as the left-hander gloved it to Adnan, who had no trouble in gathering it.

Pietersen, who has yet to score big on this tour, made it 25-3 when he hooked a Gul bouncer straight into the hands of deep square-leg fielder Abdul Rehman, leaving England in more trouble at 25-3.

Ajmal then got in on the act when he trapped Ian Bell plumb in front of the wicket for four. Bell wasted England’s second referral as television replays showed he was hit on the back leg, in line with the stumps.

Rehman ended a fifth-wicket partnership of 39 by dismissing Eoin Morgan (14) caught behind, while Ajmal trapped Matt Prior to leave England at 87-7. Stuart Broad (17) and Graeme Swann (39) delayed the inevitable by putting on 48 for the eighth wicket before Rehman dismissed Broad and Chris Tremlett off successive deliveries.

Ajmal took the last wicket by getting Swann caught, much to the delight of his teammates and the few hundred people in the stands.

In the morning, Adnan had boosted Pakistan’s lead with a gutsy second Test half-century. Adnan scored a career-best 61, adding another 50 runs after Pakistan resumed at 288-7.

Adnan, who hit eight boundaries during his 129-ball knock, put on a 30-run stand for the ninth wicket with Ajmal, who made 12. His previous best of 53 came against Bangladesh in Dhaka last month. Swann had Adnan stumped to finish with figures of 4-107.

The second Test starts in Abu Dhabi from January 25, while the third will again be played here from February 3-7.

A slideshow of pictures from the match can be viewed here.]]>
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			<title>Cricket: Aj-mauled</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/322981/cricket-aj-mauled</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/322981/cricket-aj-mauled#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 12 19:44:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=322981</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan on top after opening day following off-spinner’s career-best 7 for 55.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal admitted that his preparations were marked with emphasis on bowling to left-handers as he ripped through the England batting line-up on the opening day of the 1st Test in Dubai.


Ajmal claimed a career-best seven for 55 in the England innings as the tourists slumped to 43 for five before managing to reach 192 courtesy wicket-keeper Matt Prior’s 70. In reply, Mohammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar took Pakistan to 42 without loss at stumps.

The off-spinner, who was the talking point before the series as he claimed to have a mystery ball up his sleeve, troubled the England batsmen, trapping five of his victims leg-before and rattling the stumps of another. The 34-year-old said he was not finished, promising more tricks were to come after introducing England to his ‘teesra’.

“The pitch wasn’t turning and I just tried to bowl at middle stump,” Ajmal told Sky Sports News. “I’m working very hard to improve against left-handers. They [the teesras] will be coming in the next few innings and I bowled a few of them today. I’m very pleased that my best bowling figures have come against England. My aim is to bag the man-of -the-series award.”

While Ajmal celebrated a superb performance that left the England batsmen perplexed, Prior said the pitch had no demons and insisted that it was a ‘good surface’.

“It was a pretty good batting surface,” said Prior. “We have been in this position before and fought back and there is no reason why we can’t do it again.

“Any spin bowler who spins both ways is tricky. Ajmal’s wrist is pretty quick when he delivers the ball so it’s pretty difficult to pick him at times and that obviously plays on a batsman’s mind but we have to deal with him a lot better than we did today.”

Prior also praised Graeme Swann, who made 34 and stuck around with the wicket-keeper to add a valuable 57 for the eighth wicket after they were reduced to 94 for seven.

A slideshow of Ajmal's performance can be viewed here.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan spin bamboozles England for 192</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/322844/england-win-toss-and-bat-in-first-test-against-pakistan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/322844/england-win-toss-and-bat-in-first-test-against-pakistan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 12 11:59:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[afp]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=322844</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Saeed Ajmal takes seven wickets for 55 runs in Test against England.]]>
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				<![CDATA[England made a meager 192 runs as Pakistan bowled them out in 73 overs during the opening day of the first cricket Test against Pakistan at Dubai Stadium here on Tuesday.

Pakistani off-spinner Saeed Ajmal destroyed England's top-order with figures of 7-55. The last man out, James Anderson, was sent to the pavilion after being given LBW on Ajmal's third delivery of his 25th over.

34-year-old Ajmal, whose claims of a mystery delivery surrounded the lead-up to the three-Test series, came into his own after being introduced in the 19th over, leaving England, who decided to bat on a slow turning pitch, in an early spin.

Ajmal dismissed Andrew Strauss (19) with the last delivery of his first over and then had Ian Bell (nought) with the first ball of his next before trapping Kevin Pietersen (two) leg before three balls later.

The early success of Pakistan, who chose Ajmal and left-armer Abdul Rehman as two spinners, would leave England rueing their decision to leave out the in-form Monty Panesar and play three seamers alongside off-spinner Graeme Swann.

Pakistan introduced spin as early as in the sixth over but it was Mohammad Hafeez and not Ajmal who came onto bowl and was instantly rewarded when England opener Alastair Cook edged his third delivery to Adnan after scoring three.

Paceman Aizaz Cheema then had Jonathan Trott (17), caught behind by a diving Adnan off a leg-side edge to leave England at 31-2.

Ajmal, who threatened to unveil a mystery delivery against England during the series, then bowled Strauss who went for a pull but missed the ball as well as his off-stump.

Bell was then caught and bowled off a straight delivery from Ajmal.

Pietersen survived a confident appeal but Ajmal asked for the Decision Review System which forced umpire Billy Bowden to change his decision, much to the amazement of Pakistan team.

Pakistan: Misbahul Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman.

England: Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett, James Anderson.]]>
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			<title>Cricket: Swann pours cold water over Ajmal’s mystery ball</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/321545/cricket-swann-pours-cold-water-over-ajmal%e2%80%99s-mystery-ball</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/321545/cricket-swann-pours-cold-water-over-ajmal%e2%80%99s-mystery-ball#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 14 Jan 12 20:40:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=321545</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[England spinner unimpressed with Pakistani’s claim.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Spin is likely to be the key factor in the upcoming series between Pakistan and England and has also been billed as a contest between Graeme Swann and Saeed Ajmal.


The slow and turning pitches in the UAE provide for the perfect setting as both spinners set out to prove who’s the world’s best. Ajmal has already claimed to have a ‘mystery ball’ up his sleeve and Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq has declared UAE conditions to favour his ‘home’ side.

However, Swann took a dig at Ajmal, saying the off-spinner’s new variant is nothing but a failed ploy to make the England batsmen think.

“I must confess to having a chuckle when I heard about Ajmal claiming to have a new mystery ball,” Swann wrote in The Sun. “I think he has been doing a Shane Warne, who always said before each Ashes series that he had invented a new delivery called the zooter or hooter or whatever.

“For the first three Tests, he had England batsmen trying to work out how to play the new ball. By the time they realised it was exactly the same, it was too late. So when I saw Ajmal, I told him, ‘You have only one new ball. I have three or four’.”

Swann said that he was not intrigued by Ajmal’s latest variant but praised the Pakistani after an impressive performance helped his team remain unbeaten in Tests and One-Day International series in 2011.

“I am not sure what his new delivery is meant to do – maybe stop on the pitch and make a cup of tea. Let’s face it, there are only two ways a ball can go if it does not go straight on – left or right. Ajmal has a bit of a character and he is a fine bowler and a good bloke. He bowled really well in England in 2010 and caused some of our lads a few problems, particularly the tail-enders.”

Swann said England were looking to maintain their number one rank in Tests but remained wary of Pakistan’s ability. “Now we are the top Test side, we want to stay at the top.

“But Pakistan will be very dangerous. They’re used to the conditions, they have played at the stadium and we have not even practised there yet.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Cricket: ‘Our spinner is better than yours’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/313811/cricket-%e2%80%98our-spinner-is-better-than-yours%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/313811/cricket-%e2%80%98our-spinner-is-better-than-yours%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 29 Dec 11 19:33:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[fawad.hussain]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=313811</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Former players back Ajmal to outshine Swann in UAE.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The year’s highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, Saeed Ajmal, has been heavily backed by the team management and former Test cricketers to outshine England’s Graeme Swann in the upcoming Test series in the UAE.

Former Pakistan spinner and current England spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed predicted a tough competition between the duo in the series dubbed a battle for spin supremacy.

Coach Mohsin Khan voted Ajmal the best off-spinner in the business today.

“Ajmal is in good form and currently the best,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune. “I believe Ajmal is far better than Swann. However, Swann holds the advantage given England’s fielding and I hope Ajmal gets the same support. Our batsmen lack patience so that may work in Swann’s favour too.”

‘Doosra’ gives Ajmal the edge: Qasim

Meanwhile, former left-arm spinner Iqbal Qasim termed both spinners equal but picked Ajmal to have the edge next month.

“Both bowlers are assets for their team,” he said. “They are in form, delivering regularly but Ajmal will have the edge because of the ‘doosra’ which he delivers more effectively than Swann.”

Meanwhile, former off-spinner Tauseef Ahmed felt that Ajmal had more variation than Swann that will give the Pakistani edge over the latter.

“He has shown improvement after every series and I expect him to finish better than Swann. For Pakistan, Ajmal is a key player and the team will rely on him heavily.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Saeed Ajmal tops ICC ODI bowlers list</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/296881/saeed-ajmal-tops-icc-odi-bowlers-list</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/296881/saeed-ajmal-tops-icc-odi-bowlers-list#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 24 Nov 11 08:14:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=296881</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Bowlers Shahid Afiridi and Muhammad Hafeez take seventh and eight positions in ODI bowler rankings.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan cricketer Saeed Ajmal has moved to the number one slot in the new One Day International (ODI) bowler rankings released by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The off-spinner earned the top position after his performance in the series against Sri Lanka held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Ajmal is also rated at the ninth position in the Test bowlers of the world.

Bowlers Shahid Afiridi and Muhammad Hafeez bagged the seventh and eight positions of the top 10 ODI bowlers, respectively.

In team rankings, Pakistan moved up from the sixth position to fifth after defeating Sri Lanka in the ODI series.

Pakistan stands at the sixth position in the ICC Test rankings.

Earlier, Pakistan wrapped up the last of the five match limited overs one day international against Sri Lanka with a three-wicket win in Abu Dhabi, and won the series 4-1.]]>
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