PCB in a tailspin over Ajmal suspension
Board forwards off-spinner’s case to Illegal Bowling Action Committee.
KARACHI:
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has referred the case of Saeed Ajmal’s suspension from international cricket to its own Illegal Bowling Action Committee.
The five-member committee consists of National Cricket Academy (NCA) head coach Muhammad Akram, spin-bowling consultant Mushtaq Ahmed, Ali Zia, Aleem Dar and Dr Sohail Saleem.
The national governing board had earlier decided to launch an appeal, but then opted to wait as it felt that scientific evidence could not be challenged straightaway.
“The PCB has referred the matter to its recently-formed Illegal Bowling Action Committee, which will consider the issue and revert with their views and/or recommendations and the board shall thereafter decide what action to take,” said PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan.
The International Cricket Council rules allow PCB a 14-day period to appeal.
Ajmal was suspended on Tuesday by the ICC with immediate effect after an independent analysis – carried out at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane – revealed that all his deliveries exceeded the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the regulations.
“Ajmal can apply for a reassessment after he has modified his bowling action in accordance with clause 2.4 of the Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions,” read the ICC press release.
Saqlain offers help to Ajmal, PCB
Legendary off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has offered to help Ajmal and the PCB in ‘this difficult time’.
“I will help and support Ajmal to the best of my ability if required,” said Saqlain.
The Illegal Bowling Action Committee members and senior board officials are contemplating involving Saqlain in the matter, believing that he is the best man to provide a solution.
“We’re strongly inclined to involve Saqlain in Ajmal’s matter,” a committee member told The Express Tribune. “Saqlain had the cleanest of actions as an off-spinner and his doosra was never questioned.”
The 36-year-old Ajmal has so far taken 178 wickets in 35 Tests, 183 scalps in 111 one-dayers and 85 wickets in T20Is.
"My elbow is not usual, that's why it seems as if I bend it more than the normal 15 degrees allowed,” said Ajmal while speaking to reporters in Faisalabad. “We will appeal soon. I will be in action at the World Cup next year, that's my resolve.”
It remains to be seen whether Ajmal will be allowed a reprieve over his ‘unusual elbow’ as the ICC has ended the rule of giving relaxation on medical grounds.
‘Pakistani bowling finished without Ajmal’
Former captain Rashid Latif feels that Pakistani bowling is finished without Ajmal.
“For me, Pakistani bowling is nothing without him because he has been the world's best bowler in the short formats of the game,” stressed Latif. “It’s sad that Pakistan did not try any other off-spinners and now our backup options don't have international cricket experience.”
Another former spinner Tauseef Ahmed has said that suspension is a huge blow to the national team.
“It’ll be a very big loss if Ajmal goes out of the equation with the World Cup approaching,” said Ahmed. “He has won several matches single-handedly for Pakistan and it would be really hard to replace him.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2014.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has referred the case of Saeed Ajmal’s suspension from international cricket to its own Illegal Bowling Action Committee.
The five-member committee consists of National Cricket Academy (NCA) head coach Muhammad Akram, spin-bowling consultant Mushtaq Ahmed, Ali Zia, Aleem Dar and Dr Sohail Saleem.
The national governing board had earlier decided to launch an appeal, but then opted to wait as it felt that scientific evidence could not be challenged straightaway.
“The PCB has referred the matter to its recently-formed Illegal Bowling Action Committee, which will consider the issue and revert with their views and/or recommendations and the board shall thereafter decide what action to take,” said PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan.
The International Cricket Council rules allow PCB a 14-day period to appeal.
Ajmal was suspended on Tuesday by the ICC with immediate effect after an independent analysis – carried out at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane – revealed that all his deliveries exceeded the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the regulations.
“Ajmal can apply for a reassessment after he has modified his bowling action in accordance with clause 2.4 of the Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions,” read the ICC press release.
Saqlain offers help to Ajmal, PCB
Legendary off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has offered to help Ajmal and the PCB in ‘this difficult time’.
“I will help and support Ajmal to the best of my ability if required,” said Saqlain.
The Illegal Bowling Action Committee members and senior board officials are contemplating involving Saqlain in the matter, believing that he is the best man to provide a solution.
“We’re strongly inclined to involve Saqlain in Ajmal’s matter,” a committee member told The Express Tribune. “Saqlain had the cleanest of actions as an off-spinner and his doosra was never questioned.”
The 36-year-old Ajmal has so far taken 178 wickets in 35 Tests, 183 scalps in 111 one-dayers and 85 wickets in T20Is.
"My elbow is not usual, that's why it seems as if I bend it more than the normal 15 degrees allowed,” said Ajmal while speaking to reporters in Faisalabad. “We will appeal soon. I will be in action at the World Cup next year, that's my resolve.”
It remains to be seen whether Ajmal will be allowed a reprieve over his ‘unusual elbow’ as the ICC has ended the rule of giving relaxation on medical grounds.
‘Pakistani bowling finished without Ajmal’
Former captain Rashid Latif feels that Pakistani bowling is finished without Ajmal.
“For me, Pakistani bowling is nothing without him because he has been the world's best bowler in the short formats of the game,” stressed Latif. “It’s sad that Pakistan did not try any other off-spinners and now our backup options don't have international cricket experience.”
Another former spinner Tauseef Ahmed has said that suspension is a huge blow to the national team.
“It’ll be a very big loss if Ajmal goes out of the equation with the World Cup approaching,” said Ahmed. “He has won several matches single-handedly for Pakistan and it would be really hard to replace him.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2014.