Ajmal withdraws from World Cup, won’t risk test

Pakistan will definitely be without spinner Saeed Ajmal at the World Cup in Australasia in February, after he withdrew from the competition in order to further correct his illegal bowling action.
Ajmal was banned in September for chucking, his elbow flex more than double the 15 degrees allowed, and while he had been confident a few weeks ago, the PCB have opted not to risk it. If he had been tested officially, he would have failed, they said.
Ajmal was supposed to be tested again on 8 December, but the PCB asked for it to be postponed. Now they have delayed it indefinitely, because failing would mean at least a year-long ban. Mohammad Hafeez, meanwhile, will have an unofficial test in Chennai soon.
Shaharyar Khan, the PCB chairman, told Reuters: "Ajmal withdrew himself. We didn't want to take a risk with Ajmal's career because latest reports suggested his elbow extension was not still within the 15 degrees allowed by the ICC despite all the remedial work on his action.
"We were aware that if he took the official ICC test in a bid to make the World Cup squad and failed it he could be suspended from playing for one to two years and that would mean the end of his career."
The PCB added in a statement that Hafeez and Ajmal would continue working with Saqlain Mushtaq, who was originally only meant to work with Ajmal for a few weeks, and this has stretched to months.
It read: "The PCB committee discussed the future course of action to be adopted with regard to Ajmal and Hafeez and agreed that in the case of Ajmal, further remedial work should continue in collaboration with Saqlain and a bio-mechanist in Lahore.
"The group was informed that significant progress had been made by Ajmal who is now working on completing his mileage with the remodelled action which shall soon be accomplished.
"It was noted that Saqlain and Mushtaq Ahmed (Pakistan spin bowling coach) have both worked with Hafeez and his action should now be unofficially tested in Chennai next week."
Latest
-
News
Jonathan Trott warns England not to get ‘too desperate’ against India spinners
The duo have taken a combined 42 wickets in the series so far.
-
News
Darren Gough fears England could be on the end of another hiding by India
Gough knows all about two-day Test wins.
-
News
Chris Silverwood hopes England batsmen can learn from quickfire third-Test loss
Silverwood would not be drawn into criticising the pitch.
-
News
England players clash online over Alex Hartley’s social media comments
Hartley advertised England Women’s one-day international with New Zealand by referencing the men’s third Test defeat inside two days to India.
-
News
Nat Sciver excels as England wrap up series win in New Zealand
Sciver claimed three for 26 and hit 63.
-
News
Joe Root invites ICC to make own judgement on Ahmedabad pitch
England were beaten by 10 wickets to go 2-1 down in the series.
-
News
It was nice to bat on – Rohit Sharma defends pitch after India seal two-day win
The hosts thrashed England by 10 wickets in Ahmedabad.
-
News
Charlotte Edwards elected as first female president of the PCA
The former England captain takes over from Graham Gooch at the Professional Cricketers’ Association.
-
News
Joe Root refuses to blame pitch for England’s quickfire defeat in Ahmedabad
It was the shortest match since 1935 in terms of balls bowled.
-
News
7 Tests with the most premature endings since 2000
A turning wicket caused chaos for batsmen on both sides as England’s first-innings collapse for 112 set the tone.