Ajmal determined to regain Pakistan place

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Cricket365
August 31, 2015

Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal says he is determined to prove that he is not a 'spent force' and that he has the ability to make it back to the national team after a difficult year.

Ajmal lost his place late last year when he was reported for an illegal action. His elbow flex was nearly three times the 15-degree limit, and after months of remodelling he came back briefly, but was dropped after poor performances.

Since then he's been working on getting his wicket-taking skills back, and has been playing in England. In the meantime, Yasir Shah has become the premier spinner for Pakistan, but Ajmal believes he can return, even at the age of nearly 38.

Ajmal told PakPassion.net: "I'm looking forward to playing again in the upcoming domestic cricket season in Pakistan. I'm ready to take on the challenge of regaining my place in the Pakistan team.

"I'm confident that I can perform well again in domestic cricket in Pakistan and make a comeback for my country and prove my critics wrong.

"It would be great to play for Pakistan again as international cricket is the pinnacle for any cricketer.

"I feel that I'm not a spent force when it comes to international cricket and as a bowler I still have something to offer my country."

It was recently announced the West Indies paceman Shannon Gabriel would replace Ajmal at Worcestershire, and despite reports that he had been sacked, Ajmal says his contract has merely come to an end.

Ajmal added: "There was no sacking or early termination of my contract as some media is reporting.

"My contract with Worcestershire is until 4th September as I will be leaving for Hajj the day after I return to Pakistan next week.

"Worcestershire had wanted me to play for them for the whole season but I had decided and agreed with Worcestershire prior to signing the contract this season that I wouldn't be able to play the whole season and would return to Pakistan prior to the end of the season.

"The last few months have been a tough and difficult phase of my cricketing career but I'm feeling positive and I've given my 100% effort to Worcestershire as I always have and hope that I will get the opportunity to play for them in future."