Ajmal should be back playing after the WC
Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Akram believes off-spinner Saeed Ajmal still has alot to the offer the Pakistan national team, despite the bowler withdrawing himself from the World Cup squad.
Ajmal withdrew from the World Cup, which starts on the 22 February, because he felt he needed more time to pass the ICC tests done on his bowling action after he was suspended for chucking.
Ajmal has been working hard at the ICC testing lab in the UK to get his action correct in time to make the final 15-man World cup squad, which has to be announced on by 7 January.
Akram, who has been a Pakistan bowling coach in the past, said: "Pakistan have lot of cricket coming up after the World Cup and Ajmal will be needed in future.
"I'm sure that he will be seen once again in international cricket because Pakistan needs him. Ajmal has been the number one bowler in the world and he wants to return with same effectiveness because he doesn't want to be a liability on the team."
Akram added that Ajmal has always put the team first, and that the work done on his action is going well, but that he would need to do more bowling in competitive domestic cricket before joining up with the national side again.
He explained: "He has always played for his country and all his decisions are in the best interest of Pakistan. Ajmal has got a big reputation and he doesn't want to ruin it.
"It is one thing to clear the test while it is different to make a comeback with the same venom in your bowling."
Latest
-
NewsTom Harrison warns ‘we’re not out of the woods yet’ as ECB reports £16.1m losses
Prior to the onset of the global health crisis the ECB had expected the past year to be characterised by rising revenues.
-
NewsECB reports £16.1m loss with cash reserves down to £2.2m due to impact of Covid
Cricket as a whole in England and Wales has accrued revenue losses of more than £100m.
-
NewsMCC stresses requirement for law change to permit use of bamboo cricket bats
A Cambridge University study suggested a prototype bamboo bat was stronger, more sustainable and cheaper to produce than the willow blade.
-
NewsTymal Mills says initiatives are more important to cricket than taking a knee
The Sussex left-arm paceman feels inclusive schemes will prove more significant than gestures in broadening cricket’s appeal in years to come.
-
NewsAshley Giles will not allow England commitments to play second fiddle to IPL
Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler could find themselves involved in a calendar clash.
-
NewsAshley Giles hints at possible new faces for England in New Zealand series
Giles suggested players who recently returned from the postponed Indian Premier League into quarantine may be eased back into action gently.
-
NewsCraig Overton and Lyndon James star in big wins for Somerset and Nottinghamshire
The paceman picked up five second innings wickets to set up victory.
-
NewsGloucestershire escape the bad weather as David Payne rolls over Middlesex
The seamer claimed six for 56 and 10 wickets in the match as the visitors secured a comfortable win.
-
NewsOn this day in 2004: Muttiah Muralitharan beats Shane Warne to Test record
Muralitharan surpassed Courtney Walsh’s mark of 519 Test wickets.
-
NewsCraig Overton displays all-round talents to put Somerset on top
James Bracey also excelled as Gloucestershire pushed for victory over Middlesex.