Helping hand: Saqlain agrees to assist Ajmal
Former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq will help compatriot Saeed Ajmal correct his bowling action that led to his suspension from international cricket, he confirmed on Wednesday.
Saqlain, 37, invented the ‘doosra’, a delivery which turns away from the batsman as opposed to conventional off-spin.
“We are in contact with Saqlain and are in the process of negotiating the contract with him to help Ajmal on his action,” said a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesman.
Saqlain, who took 208 Test and 288 one-day wickets in an illustrious career that included a long stint at Surrey, confirmed he would help.
“Yes, I am ready to help and I am in contact to work out modalities of my travel to Pakistan,” said Saqlain.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday said Ajmal would be suspended from international cricket after a biomechanical analysis of his action in Brisbane found his bowling arm flex was more than the 15 degrees allowed.
On Wednesday, Ajmal gave the following statement, “I shall wait for the outcome of deliberations and verdict of the PCB’s Illegal Bowling Action Committee and until that process is completed, I shall not be making any further comments on the subject.”
As per ICC rules, Ajmal will remain suspended until remedial work on his action after which he can apply for a reassessment.
But if reported again within two years, Ajmal would be banned for a year.
On the other hand, a PCB official has told The Express Tribune that Ajmal has no choice but to remodel his action if he is to resurrect his dwindling career.
“It’s a very clear case now for Ajmal that he must remodel his action before applying for reassessment,” he said.
Off-spinner cleared to play domestic cricket
The official added that Ajmal is cleared to appear in domestic tournaments of Pakistan.
Ajmal may play for his team Faisalabad Wolves in the upcoming Haier National T20 Tournament that will be staged in Karachi.
“He can still play domestic cricket as there are no restrictions on that from the ICC. Whether he turns up for the T20 event or works on his action in the National Cricket Academy (NCA) is yet to be seen,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2014.
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