[EXCLUSIVE] "We need to prepare spin-friendly tracks at home to win": Saeed Ajmal

[The Bald Eagle]

The second Test match against England marked Pakistan's first home win since 2021. Unlike the first Test, Pakistan prepared a turning track for the game, which allowed their spinners, Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali, to take all 20 wickets.

PakPassion is pleased to present former Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal's reaction to this in an exclusive discussion with Saj.

In this discussion, Ajmal shares his thoughts on:

- The current state of Pakistan cricket
- The importance of preparing spin-friendly tracks
- The development of young spinners in the country
- Views regarding different spinners including Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed and much more

 

[Deewana Mastana]

There's no development centres in the country where spinners can be developed.

He was in charge for a while and yet nothing came out of it.

Pakistan is decades behind when it comes to developing players as there is no pathways or anything, no checks nothing as to what is happening.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Spin friendly tracks are good for Pakistan team. And unfortunately with a debilitated Pace factory we can't survive even at home otherwise.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

They need to move back to Emirates

 

[hafizexpress]

It's disappointing to see former players and pundits acting as if they are all just realizing this NOW after one win. Unless they are actually just learning this now which goes to show how high they think. This should have been emphasized long ago as Pakistan was receiving drubbing after drubbing at home, and still will if they still don't fix up the tracks they prepare. Babar won't be a fan but he has the talent to work on his weaknesses and counter spin. Hopefully now he'll finally feel like he has to if he wants to save his spot on the team

 

[BouncerGuy]

So after all, Saeed was on point that our winning formula at home is spin-friendly tracks.

Question is what are we gonna do overseas???

What are we gonna do against teams, who play spin well??

 

[Human786]

So after all, Saeed was on point that our winning formula at home is spin-friendly tracks.

Question is what are we gonna do overseas???

What are we gonna do against teams, who play spin well??

please check my posts during BD Tests , I had repeatedly said prepare extra dry pitches where day 1 pitch is like a day 3 surface & pick your 2 most successful & experienced domestic spinners . This is actually common sense looking at how mediocre PAK pacers have been on flat decks - not hugely skillful & suspect fitness ! For this alone I should be the Superb Omnipotent Super Mod here c @Cricket Warrior @Asad T @MenInG @Mamoon @Rana @DeadlyVenom

 

[Mercurial]

No to rank turners like in the Rawalpindi match. This is a massive disrespect to fast bowlers. We need proper cricket pitches, just like those during Ramiz Raja's tenure as PCB chairman. That overhauled domestic system would have produced proper players if they had stuck with it because the pitches used in domestic cricket were flat, and those pitches produce proper bowlers. I don’t know why they are calling it #AqibBall and celebrating it. This was a shortcut move to win a series for short-term gain.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

please check my posts during BD Tests , I had repeatedly said prepare extra dry pitches where day 1 pitch is like a day 3 surface & pick your 2 most successful & experienced domestic spinners . This is actually common sense looking at how mediocre PAK pacers have been on flat decks - not hugely skillful & suspect fitness ! For this alone I should be the Superb Omnipotent Super Mod here c @Cricket Warrior @Asad T @MenInG @Mamoon @Rana @DeadlyVenom

You can expect any sort of blunder from the PCB... No surprise if in next season they start preparing green tops again as they still have Wasim and Waqar in their lineup.

 

[Asad T]

please check my posts during BD Tests , I had repeatedly said prepare extra dry pitches where day 1 pitch is like a day 3 surface & pick your 2 most successful & experienced domestic spinners . This is actually common sense looking at how mediocre PAK pacers have been on flat decks - not hugely skillful & suspect fitness ! For this alone I should be the Superb Omnipotent Super Mod here c @Cricket Warrior @Asad T @MenInG @Mamoon @Rana @DeadlyVenom

yes, and also for updating scores on the regular

 

[Human786]

yes, and also for updating scores on the regular

you are kind & compassionate my bro

 

[hass]

It was utterly abhorrent that Ramiz Raja took zero accountability for accepting Babar’s selfish and mindless recommendations for what pitches to prepare. And to follow that up with shifting all blame to Babar. What a mess things have been before someone had the brain cells to make a competitive and entertaining pitch. Babar was asking for easy centuries for himself while allowing the team to get annihilated on dead wickets. Thank goodness that time has passed.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

It was utterly abhorrent that Ramiz Raja took zero accountability for accepting Babar’s selfish and mindless recommendations for what pitches to prepare. And to follow that up with shifting all blame to Babar. What a mess things have been before someone had the brain cells to make a competitive and entertaining pitch. Babar was asking for easy centuries for himself while allowing the team to get annihilated on dead wickets. Thank goodness that time has passed.

I mean we heard all kind of nonsense that we cant prepare spin tracks look what aqib did came and right away produced spin tracks.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Spin tracks would help our spinners, but our batsmen on most surfaces other then roads are trash. So unless batting improves, we could easily end losing series at home like India have due to poor batting.

By all means back ur bowlers, but Pakistan need to get rid of passengers in team

 

[zaidihusain]

It was utterly abhorrent that Ramiz Raja took zero accountability for accepting Babar’s selfish and mindless recommendations for what pitches to prepare. And to follow that up with shifting all blame to Babar. What a mess things have been before someone had the brain cells to make a competitive and entertaining pitch. Babar was asking for easy centuries for himself while allowing the team to get annihilated on dead wickets. Thank goodness that time has passed.

Ramiz Raja is the biggest clown in Pakistan cricket, he is a total embarrassment as a former cricketer. Pakistan could have won at least 5 out of 8 tests played against Australia, Eng & NZ at home in 2022-23 if PCB had offered spin friendly tracks. Ramiz was totally arrogant at that time. Even India, Sri Lanka & Bang offers spin friendly tracks to SENA teams

 

[Amjid Javed]

Ramiz Raja is the biggest clown in Pakistan cricket, he is a total embarrassment as a former cricketer. Pakistan could have won at least 5 out of 8 tests played against Australia, Eng & NZ at home in 2022-23 if PCB had offered spin friendly tracks. Ramiz was totally arrogant at that time. Even India, Sri Lanka & Bang offers spin friendly tracks to SENA teams

Pakistan had the most favourable WTC during that time, to not win a single home test during those fixtures and the cowardly way they played was unforgiveable