KARACHI:
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf is yet to present Saeed Ajmal the promised award, after the off-spinner was snubbed at the International Cricket Council (ICC) awards earlier this year.
The ICC ignored Ajmal’s achievements in the year and refused to shortlist him for the Player of The Year Award. The decision caused anger in Pakistan and was strongly criticised by former cricketers who called for a reversal of the lists. The PCB also opposed the decision and partially boycotted the awards ceremony in Colombo on September 15 by stopping its top officials from attending the ceremony.
However, Ashraf announced a special award for the spinner three months ago saying, “Ajmal, we still say you’re the number one bowler in the world and the PCB recognises you. Whether someone gives you the prize, that is immaterial, we don’t care. We congratulate you and when you come back home (after the World Twenty20 in early October) we will give you a prize for being the number one bowler in the world.”
However, a close aide of the spinner said that Ajmal is still awaiting the award.
“This special award which was promised by the PCB means a lot to Ajmal,” he told The Express Tribune. “He is not a complaining person and has not asked the PCB to fulfil its promise. But he is waiting to get the special award as he feels it will be a big honour for him. After all, this award was promised as compensation for the ICC award which he deserved.”
Meanwhile, a PCB official said that the board respects the spinner and will honour him soon.
“The delay is due to the preparations of the India series,” said the official. “We might arrange a ceremony for Ajmal to hand him the award soon.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 16th, 2012.
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it shows how much v care for our heroes
He should have be rewarded at the earlier..but not surprised on delay