PCB says Ajmal got positive feedback on bowling action

Despite improvements, PCB unlikely to pick the veteran spin-bowler anytime soon

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Thursday that spin-bowler Saeed Ajmal had received positive feedback on improvement in his remodeled bowling action, with consultations with sports biomechanics expert Dr Paul Hurrion paying off.

"It is a positive sign that Saeed [Ajmal] is consulting Dr Paul Hurrion, who also advises golf superstars such as Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington and even three time Ballon d'Or winning footballer Cristiano Ronaldo," chief selector Haroon Rasheed told Press Trust of India. Ajmal is seeking help of the biomechanics expert every fortnight.

"I spoke to him (Ajmal) and he requested to play the full English season for Worcestershire and should not be considered for national selection until he is fully satisfied with his action and performance.”

Read: Worcestershire hail Saeed Ajmal's comeback, love for cricket

Ajmal had been ignored for the Sri Lankan tour after making a less than successful return to international cricket during the home series against Zimbabwe.

But the veteran off-spinner, who has been working hard on his remodeled action, has shown signs of improvement while representing his English county side in all three formats of the game, prompting Worcestershire's bowling coach Matt Mason to issue a warning to batsmen around the world, proclaiming that Ajmal was back to his best.

"It is great news for Pakistan cricket. Ajmal is enjoying the game and is regaining confidence,” said the chief selector.

Read: Waqar Younis believes Saeed Ajmal will make a solid comeback

Rasheed, however, added that the selectors are not yet ready to consider Ajmal for the triangular series and T20 matches in Zimbabwe in August and September, and would rather monitor him during the domestic season which kicks off in late September.

"The way we are looking at things we see a possible comeback during the Test series against England in October," the former Test batsman said.

Ajmal has taken 178 Test, 184 ODI and 85 T20 wickets in his international. His bowling action was reported after a Test in Galle in Sri Lanka last September.

The article originally appeared on NDTV