PCB to appeal Ajmal ban

News

Cricket365
September 9, 2014

The Pakistan Cricket Board will appeal the International Cricket Council's decision to ban spinner Saeed Ajmal from bowling.

Ajmal was reported for a suspect arm action during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle last month – and later underwent bio-mechanical testing at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane.

Umpires Bruce Oxenford and Ian Gould, third official Richard Illingworth and match referee Andy Pycroft cited concerns over numerous deliveries during the series opener.

"Our experts understood that it is the doosra that may be suspected but that proved wrong because his entire action was called illegal," said PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan. "So that's a concern for us but we are going to appeal because we want to understand if the ICC has covered all the angles or not.

"An appeal obviously will benefit us because there is the chance that he may be cleared and get back straight away. Otherwise if the appeal is unsuccessful we are wary of the one-year ban imposed on him, but then again he can remodel his action within the period and return to cricket.

"We have two weeks to lodge an appeal. We have to face this with courage and go through it without panicking. We have bowlers who can fill in for Ajmal and won't let the team miss him."

The 36-year-old Ajmal currently holds first position in the ICC rankings for ODI bowlers – and occupies ninth and third spot respectively in the Test and Twenty20 International standings.

He was reported for a similar suspicion in April 2009 – but was cleared a month later. Sri Lanka's Sachithra Senenayake and New Zealand's Kane Williamson were, earlier this year, banned for similar infringements. The Pakistani is, however, allowed to apply for a reassessment.

Tuesday's announcement is a major inconvenience to Pakistan's preparation for next month's one-off T20I, three ODIs and two Tests against Australia in the United Arab Emirates.