Ajmal: It's a batsman's game these days

Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal feels the game is geared towards batsmen these days, especially in limited-overs formats, putting a lot of pressure on bowlers as the batters become more 'brazen'.

Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal feels the game is geared towards batsmen these days, especially in limited-overs formats, putting a lot of pressure on bowlers as the batters become more 'brazen'.

Ajmal, soon to be playing county cricket for Worcestershire, cited new shots in T20 cricket, like the switch hit, Dilscoop, and helicopter shot, as the reason for the pressure on bowlers, as batsmen are constantly innovating new shots.

Ajmal told Reuters: "Times have changed and there is hardly any respect for bowlers these days. The attitude and approach of batsmen has become more brazen and it has become very difficult for bowlers.

"Cricket is very fast nowadays and as a bowler you are always under pressure. Batsmen can attack in T20 or 50-over cricket from the start and as a bowler you need to keep coming up with something new in every match.

"T20 cricket is made for batsmen while in ODIs the five fielders inside the circle rule has brought pressure on the bowlers."

The 36-year-old is considered the best slow bowler in thew world, but even he had a tough time during the recent World Twenty20, taking just four wickets in four games, and going for a hefty 41 runs in four overs against the West Indies.

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