Ajmal will be needed in the future, claims Akram

The NCA coach also believes Hafeez will be cleared before the World Cup

KARACHI: National Cricket Academy (NCA) head coach Muhammad Akram has stressed that Saeed Ajmal will be needed by Pakistan after the 2015 World Cup once he clears his official test and regains his former effectiveness.

The bowler is out of consideration for the World Cup’s final 15-man squad after it was decided by Ajmal and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials that he should focus on his comeback.

“There is lot of cricket after the World Cup and we’ll need Ajmal in the future,” said Akram. “He was the number one bowler in the world and wants to be as effective as he was before when he does make a comeback. Ajmal does not want to be a liability to the team. The hard work he has put in during the last three months is remarkable.”

The official further said that a decision will be made in the next few days about Ajmal’s official test because the bowler has developed some new varieties and needs to get complete control over them before undergoing the scanner again.

The 37-year-old Ajmal has been working hard on remodelling his action and appeared for informal test at the Loughborough University recently.

According to Akram, Ajmal showed strong signs of getting cleared as only his ‘doosra’ was over the allowed 15-degree limit, and that too by two degrees, while all his other variations were legal.

On the other hand, Muhammad Hafeez — who was sent to Chennai for informal testing — is expected to get cleared and return in time to bowl in the World Cup.

“Hafeez’s result will be known in the next few days but I am very positive about it. We’ve around 40 days to work with Hafeez and he’ll be seen bowling in the World Cup,” Akram claimed.

The 40-year-old also discussed the fitness test conducted at the NCA, in which 21 players participated while 10 centrally-contracted players will participate on January 13 and January 14.

Ajmal thanks PCB for support

Meanwhile, Ajmal has replied to speculations surrounding a deadlock between him and PCB on the timing of the official testing through social media by tweeting: “The PCB chairman and board have been supportive during this difficult time and I want to reassure my friends that I am in good hands and my best interest is being looked after”.

 

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