Ajmal’s action legal aside from doosra

News

Cricket365
November 27, 2014

Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal still has a problem with his doosra, but further testing in England has shown that most of his deliveries now fall under the 15 degree flex limit after months of hard work.

Ajmal was banned for illegal bowling in September, and as recently as two weeks ago his action was still above the flex limit in most cases. But another round of testing at Loughborough has shown that only the doosra remains illegal.

Pakistan's National Cricket Academy head coach Mohammad Akram said on Cricinfo: "He worked so hard to reduce the flex.

"The latest test in the biomechanics lab on Monday revealed that he has started bowling within the ICC's 15-degree limit. His conventional offspin and faster deliveries are very well bowled within the limit now, that's the good news."

Ajmal had a shoulder and elbow injury earlier in his career which has affected his bowling, and the PCB have always maintained that the accident he had prior to testing in 2009 should be taken into account.

Akram added: "There is no doubt that he is a true fighter. He, despite his medical history, has achieved a significant result in reducing the flex in his elbow.

"But at the same time I would like to request ICC to give him a benefit of doubt as his chronic injuries forced him to bowl [differently], with the wrist collapsing and shoulder dislocating.

"This is something which is exceptional in his case."

Despite all the attention, the PCB say they are supporting of the ICC massive crackdown on chucking this year, with Akram highlighting the PCB's own efforts to weed out illegal bowlers in domestic leagues.

He said: "PCB has been working extensively to weed out the illegal bowling actions from the domestic circuit. We have already cracked down on all bowlers with suspect action and are presently working with them on their actions.

"We always stand with the ICC and support the no-tolerance approach in dealing with suspected illegal bowling actions."