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In this exclusive interview, Saeed Ajmal, one of Pakistan’s most accomplished off-spinners and a former world No. 1-ranked bowler in both ODIs and T20Is, opens up on his decision to resign from the PCB, the challenges facing Pakistan’s spinners, and his frustrations with the country’s inconsistent cricket system. The former legend of Worcestershire and national hero shares his honest thoughts on Pakistan’s Test decline, player treatment, coaching instability, his own coaching philosophy — and much more.
Key revelations include:
Why he resigned: "I didn’t like their attitude, that’s why I had to resign" – Saeed Ajmal confirmed that he and fellow fast-bowling legend Umar Gul resigned from their Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) coaching roles after the tour of Australia.
Coaching chaos: "A new coach comes and brings his own people, no one is allowed to work properly” – Ajmal stated that the main issue was a lack of "respect" and a pattern where coaches are not allowed to work freely. Specifically, he noted that after appointing a spin bowling coach, the board would bring in another, or a new head coach would bring in his entire staff.
Pakistan’s spin crisis: "We don’t have quality spinners, and our batters can’t play spin either" – on the future of spin bowling.
On Babar Azam’s treatment: "You humiliated him in front of the media" – He argued that resting an in-form, world-class player like Babar Azam was unnecessary and only served to put him under pressure.
Selection confusion: "In one series there’s one captain, in the next there’s another" – Ajmal described the situation with current players being removed from captaincy and "rested" as akin to "spitting and then licking it back up" (a phrase implying great hypocrisy and insult).
Local vs foreign coaches: "We give $20,000 to foreigners but don’t value our own" – Ajmal pointed out a discrepancy in remuneration, suggesting that local coaches are not valued as highly as foreign coaches, stating: "They tell us they'll pay $20,000, but to foreigners, they'll pay $200,000". He cited the example of Abdul Rehman, who was appointed as spin coach for the Test series but was dropped for the subsequent ODI series.
Future plans: "If I get a good offer from Pakistan, I’ll prefer coaching" – He is now looking to secure coaching contracts with T10 leagues or potentially with a County team like Worcestershire, where he is considered a legend.
Watch full interview with Saj here:
Key revelations include:
Why he resigned: "I didn’t like their attitude, that’s why I had to resign" – Saeed Ajmal confirmed that he and fellow fast-bowling legend Umar Gul resigned from their Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) coaching roles after the tour of Australia.
Coaching chaos: "A new coach comes and brings his own people, no one is allowed to work properly” – Ajmal stated that the main issue was a lack of "respect" and a pattern where coaches are not allowed to work freely. Specifically, he noted that after appointing a spin bowling coach, the board would bring in another, or a new head coach would bring in his entire staff.
Pakistan’s spin crisis: "We don’t have quality spinners, and our batters can’t play spin either" – on the future of spin bowling.
On Babar Azam’s treatment: "You humiliated him in front of the media" – He argued that resting an in-form, world-class player like Babar Azam was unnecessary and only served to put him under pressure.
Selection confusion: "In one series there’s one captain, in the next there’s another" – Ajmal described the situation with current players being removed from captaincy and "rested" as akin to "spitting and then licking it back up" (a phrase implying great hypocrisy and insult).
Local vs foreign coaches: "We give $20,000 to foreigners but don’t value our own" – Ajmal pointed out a discrepancy in remuneration, suggesting that local coaches are not valued as highly as foreign coaches, stating: "They tell us they'll pay $20,000, but to foreigners, they'll pay $200,000". He cited the example of Abdul Rehman, who was appointed as spin coach for the Test series but was dropped for the subsequent ODI series.
Future plans: "If I get a good offer from Pakistan, I’ll prefer coaching" – He is now looking to secure coaching contracts with T10 leagues or potentially with a County team like Worcestershire, where he is considered a legend.
Watch full interview with Saj here:
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