Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal on Sunday said he can help all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez correct his bowling stance within a month if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Hafeez approach him. Talking to media, Ajmal said that Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed had helped him correct his bowling action after he was suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2014. Earlier this week, the International Cricket Council (ICC) termed Hafeez’s bowling action as illegal and he was suspended for the third time in his career.

Ajmal also expressed concern that ICC was ‘targetting only Pakistan bowlers’ and urged the PCB to take notice.

“If the PCB takes some positive steps to protect the bowlers, I am hopeful that Pakistan bowlers will not be singled out again for their bowling actions.” Ajmal had expressed similar views in an earlier interview, where he said: “It seems that the process was meant for me and Hafeez, all other bowlers with questionable actions are still playing.” Ajmal, who announced his retirement earlier this month, dismissed chances of an international farewell match, saying that the PCB should have thought about it earlier. “I don’t want to beg the PCB,” he said.

In 2016, however, Ajmal had rejected the national cricket body’s offer of a “fitting send-off”. “I have no intention to quit one-day or Twenty20 cricket at the moment,” the 38-year-old spinner had told media at the time. “I have worked really hard to stage a comeback and my performance in the National T20 Cup reflects that.” The spinner has now announced that he will retire after the National T20 Cup that is currently being played in Rawalpindi. “I played good cricket for Pakistan and for the PCB but in the end, I would not even get to play a good match to end my international career,” he lamented. “These T20 matches are broadcast live so I decided to grab this opportunity to announce my retirement in front of my fans,” he concluded.

Published in Daily Times, November 20^th 2017.