Will announce retirement if I fail to return: Ajmal

Off-spinner says he doesn’t want to feel like a burden on the side

DUBAI:

Discarded off-spinner Saeed Ajmal said he will retire from international cricket if he fails to force a return into the national side, but, on a completely separate topic, did request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to do its part in helping bowlers compete with batsmen.

“I am a fighter and I will continue fighting [in a bid to return to the national side], but the day I feel like I’m a burden on the team, I will announce my retirement,” said the 38-year-old, while speaking to The Express Tribune.



However, the former number one bowler in the world feels cricket is now too batsman friendly. “The size of the bats has increased drastically, Powerplays have been introduced, 20-over cricket has come to the fore — a lot has happened in favour of the batsmen,” he said. “But there is almost no support for spinners. The ICC needs to think about its rule in order to make for a level-playing field.”



Ajmal also warned that mystery spinners may become a thing of the past if the rules do not become a bit more lenient.

“There should be some sort of leeway for us spinners from the ICC,” the spinner said of the organisation that banned him for having an elbow flex in excess of the allowed 15 degrees. “Because right now our fans are being let down.”



The Islamabad United spinner, who was only picked up as a supplementary player by the Misbahul Haq-led side for the Pakistan Super League, has warned opposition batsmen that he is returning to his pre-ban confidence and form after impressing in the league so far. “I am now playing at my previous level,” he said. “I have regained my confidence. I am doing my best to perform in this league and catch the eyes of the selectors in order to return to the side.”

Ajmal, who has earned himself a reputation as a fierce and aggressive cricketer on the field, was recently picked by Islamabad teammate Samuel Badree as the funniest guy in the dressing room. And the off-spinner admits to being a different man behind the scenes.

“Cricket is my profession and sometimes aggression is required out there, especially with the whole world watching. On the field, I don’t want to be friends with anyone,” he said.

“But off the field, I ensure that the atmosphere in the dressing room remains light. I want to enjoy my life and therefore I keep my cricket and the rest of my life separate. My life on the field is different to my life in Faisalabad [his hometown].”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th,  2016.

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