Discarded Pakistani off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has yet again lashed out against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the national selectors for ignoring him repeatedly since a long time. Ajmal, who was barred from bowling by the ICC in late 2014, over allegations of having an illegal bowling action, returned to a remodelled action in the ODI series against Bangladesh in mid-2015. The veteran off-spinner, though, was thrashed by the Bangladeshi batsmen, as Tamim Iqbal, in particular, was extremely harsh towards Ajmal.
Being the fighter he is, Ajmal proved his class in the local List A and T20 tournaments, as he was among the wickets. Despite performing well in the domestic circuit, Ajmal was ignored for younger individuals such as Yasir Shah and Imad Wasim. The off-spinner recently lashed out against the board for ignoring him again and again.
“I just don’t understand what they want me to do,” Ajmal said. “If they don’t want to select me they should give me a straight reply. “They keep telling me, ‘you need to perform in domestic cricket’. “I took 20 wickets in the T20 tournament in Multan. I was leading wicket-taker in the competition. Even in the domestic T20s in England last year for Worcestershire I was among the best bowlers of the tournament.”
Stressing that his fitness too was on point, Ajmal said, “I don’t know why these performances are not being considered. “I don’t have any fitness concerns either as I have played both the domestic T20 and 50-over tournaments this year. “I am working very hard for a comeback. “Pakistan does not have an off-spinner in the team and I feel I still have a role to play.”
“I have played just one match after remodelling my bowling action,” Ajmal said. “They told me I’ve got to prove my worth in domestic cricket. My performance in domestic cricket is in front of everyone, but still, I am being neglected. “I cannot prove my worth by inventing a magic delivery which the batsmen can’t see. It is my performance that the selectors need to see. “Every bowler who had issues with his bowling action is back in the team. It is only me who is not being selected. “It looks as if the whole idea behind the drive against chucking was to ban me,” the off-spinner alleged.
Promising to use the PSL as a source of his comeback, the spinner said, “Whatever games I am going to play I will consider it as a gateway to international cricket.” “I am eager to do well in the PSL and every other domestic tournament and hopefully I will be considered for the national team.”