Ajmal, 35, was adjudged the best bowler in all three formats of the game and was also given the special prize of best bowler of the year. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
KARACHI: The Pakistan cricket board (PCB) made up for Off -spinner Saeed Ajmal’s omission on the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Player of the Year shortlist by awarding him four honours at the PCB’s first awards ceremony.
Ajmal, 35, was adjudged the best bowler in all three formats of the game and was also given the special prize of best bowler of the year.
"It is a great honour to get these awards. But I will cherish the best Test bowler award since bowling in test matches requires fitness, perseverance and skill," said Ajmal.
"You have to think the batsman out. I am happy that I was rated as the best out of an attack that is considered second to none."
Ajmal, who has played 23 tests and 74 one-day internationals, said he also saw the special prize as adequate compensation for missing out on the ICC awards which took place last September.
The PCB had filed an official protest with the ICC after Ajmal was not nominated for the final awards despite the bowler being ranked first in ODIS and third in tests in 2012.
During the period under consideration for the award - August 4, 2011 to August 6, 2012 - Ajmal took 120 wickets in Tests, ODIS and Twenty20 internationals, including 24 wickets in three tests against England last January and February.
"The ICC and its member countries have their awards and we also want to encourage and reward our best performers in Pakistan cricket," said PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf.
Ashraf added the annual awards would now be a permanent feature on the Pakistan cricket calendar.
ICC chief executive Dave Richardson was present for the ceremony in which awards were given away in 18 different categories.
Pakistan's Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez walked away with the best player of the year award while opener Nasir Jamshed won the best Twenty20 and ODI batsman of the year awards. Azhar Ali won the best test batsman of the year award.
Pakistan's former captains and greats, Hanif Muhammad and Imtiaz Ahmed, also got lifetime achievement awards and received their trophies from Richardson.
Left arm paceman Junaid Khan won the emerging player award.
Full list of prizes:
PCB Curator of the Year: Haji Mohammad Bashir
PCB Umpire of the Year: Ahsan Raza
PCB Deaf Cricketer of the Year: Mohammad Shakeel
PCB Blind Cricketer of the Year: Mohammad Jamil
PCB Woman Cricketer of the Year: Sana Mir
PCB Most Valuable Domestic Bowler: Zulfiqar Babar
PCB Most Valuable Domestic Batsman: Haris Sohail
PCB Emerging Player of the Year: Junaid Khan
PCB T 20 (Int) Bowler of the Year: Saeed Ajmal
PCB T 20 (Int) Batsman of the Year: Nasir Jamshed
PCB ODI Bowler of the Year: Saeed Ajmal
PCB ODI Batsman of the Year: Nasir Jamshed
PCB Test Bowler of the Year: Saeed Ajmal
PCB Test Batsman of the Year: Azhar Ali
PCB Player of the Year: Mohammad Hafeez
PCB Life Time Achievement Award: Hanif Mohammad
PCB Life Time Achievement Award: Imtiaz Ahmed
Special Prize for Best Bowler of the Year: Saeed Ajmal
COMMENTS (23)
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@Bruce W: maybe your team should develop some GUTS to play series at our home, like we did despite of Shiv Sena
@Scared: maybe your team should develop some GUTS to play series at our home, like we did despite of Shiv Sena
scared... May be Dhoni gets another MOM award to encourage him. Hahahhahahahahah. Can't win at home and away. Pakistan has been playing away and doing satisfactorily well If not very good. India has been playing and losing in its own home. May be Indian fans will stop their whining. Lolzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
@True Indian: Jealous???? hahahahahahaha
PCB seems to be obsessed with awards. One award that is not on the list is "PCB Life Time Match Fixer: " There would be countless candidates.
@Scared: Maybe your team should learn to stop moaning in defeat and have the courage to get rid of players who are not performing..hahahahahahahahahah
@Supersequel: Within few years it will probably become an agency that’s laughed at. Probably true but unlikely. The fact is ask yourself whether Pakistan will be on the cricketing map when that happens and whether it is not a laughing stock of this world today. No country wants to travel to Pakistan and the security and economy is going downhill like a ton of bricks. You should perhaps read foreign independent reports and you will note that Pakistan will be split into parts and absorbed by its neighbours. My country of birth will not exist and that is our own fault and certainly sad.
@Bruce W: maybe your team should learn to host cricket at home.
@True Indian: maybe your team should learn to win a series at home
The fact that the awards were not restricted to just the pakistan international team is a very good sign for the future. PCB incorporated the women's team, domestic players and even the curators which is amazing. And I dont think anyone can argue against these awards being dished out on personal whims. Every single one who got the award deserved it in the respective category. Well done PCB. Hope this continues to remain an annual affair and not succumb to personal gains.
Ajmal owes a lot to the guy who advised against playing basket ball and take pepsi :)
Well for all those that watch other sports from around the world besides cricket may very well know that these awards are based on votes from an independent panel from outside the governing body of the game (usually former athletes, analysts or sports columnists). The governing body can never be without bias or impartial.
In the case of the ICC awards last year there were 2 members representing Pakistan, just like all the other nations. Amir Sohail was one of the 2 (I don't remember the name of the other). It was a collective vote and unfortunately Saeed Ajmal (I believe he was very deserving) didn't make the cut. In sports that happens. Not everything in a conspiracy and not everyone is out to get us.
Good Luck to him for next year, if he keeps doing what he has been doing for the last 2 years people will take notice.
PCB should also give Pakistan cricket team a World Cup Trophy made in Pakistan.....hahahahahahahahahahahha
Great gesture by the PCB. Well done to everyone who got an award. =)
Four Honours : Four slaps on BCCI and ICC faces. Shabas Pakistan !
Zaka Ashraf showing up some good skills. Keeping things up and running!
Most of things seem on merit. I am surprised! For good!
Best of luck Saeed Ajmal
I'm loving the way Zaka Ashraf is promoting Cricket in Pakistan. He is really helping the players feel special. When Ajmal was turned down by ICC, PCB gave him what he wished! Bravo Zaka!
Thank u PCB for encouraging home talent.. Thank u indeed:)
Congrats bro! Forget the ICC ( Indian cricket council). Within few years it will probably become an agency that's laughed at.
Finally something good from PCB and congrats to all who get the awards.