"I should have taken legal action against the ICC for banning me from bowling": Saeed Ajmal

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"I should have taken legal action against the ICC for banning me from bowling" : Saeed Ajmal

Known for his ability to bamboozle batsmen around the world, Saeed Ajmal served Pakistan with distinction since his debut in 2008 until his retirement from all forms of cricket in 2017. Whilst the Faisalabad born off-spinner’s record of representing Pakistan in 212 matches, where he took 447 wickets which included 4 ten-wicket hauls and 12 5fers was impressive in itself, it was his never-say-die attitude that endeared him to his fans, the world over.

In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net, Ajmal spoke on a variety of topics including his role as coach for Islamabad United, how impressed he is with Shadab Khan’s progress, ICC’s worrying failure to encourage unorthodox spinners in world cricket, reasons behind Yasir Shah’s poor form and his aspirations to take on a coaching role in the Pakistan side in future
.


<img src="https://i.imgur.com/aETSYvG.png" width="700">​


PakPassion.net: After a fine playing career, how are you adjusting to the challenges of coaching?

Saeed Ajmal:
I’ve been with Islamabad United for three years now but that feeling of being on the ground as a player will not go away that easily. I suppose that will happen eventually. But what I am happy about in this role is that I am now in a position to impart my attitude of being an aggressive front-line bowler to all the bowlers I am coaching.

In my career, I always led from the front and looked to take wickets and never once was I on the back foot and looked to bowl defensively. These are exactly the type of bowlers that I wish to coach. I want bowlers to have a positive mind and not ones who look for an easy way out by being defensive. I say this with conviction that any bowler can achieve this positive state of mind as long as they have the right temperament. The trick is to think positively, and you will always be successful.


PakPassion.net: What are your views on the skill-level of modern-day spinners in the Twenty20 format?

Saeed Ajmal:
The problem nowadays with spinners and especially those who play in Twenty20s is that they always worry about being hit out of the park. The fact is that a bowler will always get hit for a few sixes in a Twenty20 game but the real challenge is to look to take wickets and then even if you have gone for a few runs, you have the wickets to show for your efforts. In the modern game, a minimum economy rate of 6-7 is a given and to me, a spinner who ends up with 24-28 runs in his spell without any wickets to his name is of no use to the team.


PakPassion.net: Give us your thoughts on Shadab Khan and what he needs to do to improve further?

Saeed Ajmal:
Shadab is an excellent bowler but I would like him to bowl in a more attacking fashion. He is a young talent and a brilliant bowler. He’s been made captain at Islamabad United so that he can build his confidence and is able to take good decisions in pressure situations. He can also build his skills so that he can be a back-up captain for Pakistan in the future if needed.

Whilst his batting has really improved in Twenty20 cricket as we saw in PSL 5 where he played in an attacking way, his bowling needs improvement as he rushes and I feel he bowls a little too short at times. I have advised him to take his time when bowling and also to bowl slower as that will give him time to think and work out the batsman as well. We are working on some of these issues with Shadab so that in future he will turn out to be a good all-round option for Pakistan.


PakPassion.net: What are your views on Zafar Gohar and his areas of improvement?

Saeed Ajmal:
There is no doubt that Zafar is an excellent bowler who has performed really well in domestic cricket but the problem we had in the PSL was that we had to play an emerging player and already had a decent spinner in the shape of Shadab Khan. So, we had to hold Zafar back, but whenever we gave him a chance, he performed really well. Looking beyond PSL, I would say that being a finger-spinner, Gohar has a great chance of making it to the Pakistan side as he could be an invaluable option in Tests. Currently, we only have Yasir Shah as our main spin bowler in Tests, but a finger spinner could play a very important role in the Pakistan bowling attack.


PakPassion.net: What’s the reason for the lack of finger-spinners in Pakistan cricket?

Saeed Ajmal:
It appears that the PCB is not giving much attention to this issue. What they need to do is to make a concerted effort to address this worrying situation by gathering the top Under-19 and Under-16 spin talents to a training camp. Pakistan is one country where there is an unlimited supply of cricketing talent, but all we need to do is to find this talent at such camps and polish it further.

With a strategy like what I am proposing, I am sure that within one year, we will be able to unearth some excellent spin prospects for the country. We desperately need spinners for the Test format as in ODIs and T20Is, we already have some decent spinners in the shape of Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim. We have a situation where there is no backup for Yasir Shah and that is a source of huge concern. I also urge up and coming finger spinners in the country to work hard at their game as the position of a second spinner is wide open in the Pakistan side and there for the taking.


PakPassion.net: What is the reason behind Yasir Shah’s poor run of form in international cricket?

Saeed Ajmal:
Yasir is short of game-time. After a Test series, there is a huge gap before the next one which is a problem for Yasir as he is not a regular member of the T20I or ODI squads. On top of that, he isn’t playing much First-class cricket as well due to the fact that there are fewer games being played after the re-organization of the domestic structure.

With so many gaps between the times when he can play matches, how can we expect him to settle into any sort of rhythm? Compared to Australia and England who can play up to 15 Tests a year, we have 5-6 Tests and in those, if Yasir Shah doesn’t get favourable wickets than how is he expected to perform? In contrast, if we have more matches in favourable conditions for him then his performances will surely improve.


PakPassion.net: What are your views about the recent changes to domestic cricket in Pakistan?

Saeed Ajmal:
I don’t think that the changes to our domestic system have been a good development. What I would suggest should happen is that there should be a 2-Division structure for First-Class cricketers, just like it is in England. We are told that in our new system, by reducing the number of cricketers at this level, we will get better quality players. This could well be true, but spare a thought for the hundreds of other cricketers who play Grade 2 cricket, or used to play for departments or play in clubs – where will they go if they don’t see a future in front of them? They will lose all interest in the game and their families will also put pressure on them to not pursue cricket as a career. All in all, the game will suffer due to such changes and also result in the reduction of the talent pool in Pakistan. What we need to do is to see how we can improve the quality of the lower grade cricketers in our country.


PakPassion.net: What is the reason for the absence in cricket of unorthodox spinners such as Muttiah Muralitharan, Harbhajan Singh and yourself?

Saeed Ajmal:
Look, its simple. If you wish to generate and maintain interest in cricket then the ICC has to realize that in the same way they have made changes in Twenty20 cricket to make life easier for batsmen by introducing shorter boundaries, powerplays and allowing them to use huge bats too, they need to support spinners as well. Show me one new rule that ICC have brought in for the benefit of spinners? If we subject spinners to fields of 60-metre boundaries and they get hit all around the park, then how else can the bowler compete without looking for that extra advantage which gets labelled as chucking? If we don’t make allowances and even things up for spinners, then no one will want to take up spin-bowling in the future.

Without variations such as a Doosra and Googly, spinners have become sideshows and the modern game seems to have been made for batsmen only. Batsmen have a great time at the crease hitting spinners all over the place and then the bowler has no option but to put in more effort in some deliveries but what other option do they have? Cricket has become so commercialised and the objective seems to be just to entertain audiences with fours and sixes, but in doing so, we cannot take away the joy of seeing spinners given a fair crack of the whip or they will fade away from the game. I would like ICC to consider this situation and give some thought and respite to unusual spinners who bowl with variations which I am sure will go a long way in keeping cricket alive and enjoyable for all concerned.


PakPassion.net: What are your thoughts on ICC clamping down on illegal bowling actions?

Saeed Ajmal:
I should have taken legal action against the ICC for banning me from bowling. If I had gone to court against the ICC to question their use of technology to assess the legality of my bowling action, then I would have won that case. From what I understand, the location of the computer chip which is installed on the body of the bowler can determine if the player passes or fails his bowling action test. The location of the chip on the bowler’s body can mean a difference of 5 or 6 degrees in terms of permissible straightening of the elbow joint which places a big question mark on the whole process.

And to top it all, the results of all those measurements are pushed through a ‘black box’ to determine the legality of an action which I find to be a complete mystery. The fact is that in this testing procedure, there is nothing which can be said with 100 percent certainty, and that being the case, how can a bowler’s action be deemed illegal based on this testing procedure? You can only have that level of confidence when the ICC can clearly explain how the procedure works.

Look at what has been done to Mohammad Hafeez who had been bowling so well international cricket. The poor guy cannot bowl properly due to all these restrictions. Yet we have others, non-Pakistanis, who are bowling freely whilst our guys are being banned for illegal actions.


PakPassion.net: What are your views on Rana Naved’s assertions that some players deliberately underperformed in two ODIs against New Zealand in UAE in 2009, just so that Younis Khan could be removed as captain?

Saeed Ajmal:
I can say with conviction that no Pakistan player indulged in any activity that led to any match being lost just so that Younis Khan could be removed as captain. I played in those games and I know that no such thing happened as we all played to win the game.

I am not sure why Rana Naved feels that there was some conspiracy against Younis Khan. He was an aggressive captain who played with that mindset and in the previous tour of South Africa, we had requested the PCB to advise him to have a better attitude with his team-mates. But, to say that a match was deliberately lost to remove Younis Khan as captain simply did not happen. Younis Khan is a great man who has performed really well for Pakistan. I respect him and believe we as players would never dream of undermining his captaincy by any means.


PakPassion.net: Misbah-ul-Haq currently is Head Coach-Chief Selector for Pakistan as well as Head Coach for Islamabad United. Seems the only thing left for him is to become Prime Minister of Pakistan…

Saeed Ajmal:
Well he is a Niazi, so who knows!


PakPassion.net: Seriously speaking, is Misbah-ul-Haq able to perform all these roles without putting inordinate pressure on himself?

Saeed Ajmal:
There used to be a time when the Head Coach would blame the selection panel for shortcomings but now that Misbah has all those roles, all decisions lie with him and he is bound to have some pressure. But the good news is that he is taking all this in a positive fashion and what we need to understand is that it takes time to build a team and that could take about a year.

What Misbah wants to do is to try out all his front-line players and to build a quality squad once he is convinced of the utility of those players. If people are worried about our performances in Australia, then let me ask his critics which other Pakistan side has won in Australia before. We’ve had top teams from Pakistan go to Australia and lose the series so if we lost there again then that is not a huge issue. You need to give time to evaluate the performance of any player or coach and hopefully, when he has built the right squad and it starts performing, the same critics who lambast him now will be singing his praises.


PakPassion.net: Are you concerned about Pakistan’s Test form?

Saeed Ajmal:
There is little doubt in anyone’s mind that Pakistan’s current performances are below-par in Tests, and I do not think that this situation will improve for another year or so. It will take some to build replacements for the likes of Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan. We have Babar Azam who seems to have found his feet in Tests, and alongside him, we have Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali who are well-established batsmen, but the same cannot be said of our fast-bowlers or spinners. So, it will take time to build a new side and this is what Misbah is looking to do. But, I am convinced and hope that he will be successful in that aim.


PakPassion.net: Would you be interested in a role as a spin-bowling coach for Pakistan?

Saeed Ajmal:
Whilst we may be great friends, please don’t assume that just because Misbah is Head Coach for Pakistan, he will appoint his friend as the spin-bowling coach! Having said that, I can say with hand on my heart that should this offer be made by Pakistan and the Head Coach feels that my services are needed for the country, then I will make myself available without fail as I am ready to give my all for Pakistan.

As far as PCB’s requirements for coaches are concerned, it is my aim to complete all qualifications necessary to become a coach. I have already completed Level 2 coaching qualification in Pakistan and from England, now I am looking to complete Level 3 which was supposed to have been done in April of this year but has been postponed due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. So, whenever the Level 3 coaching course is available again, I will look to complete it so that I am eligible for a coaching position.

As for my coaching experience, it is building up nicely with my association with Islamabad United and that along with my playing experience should allow me to answer any call from Pakistan for a spin bowling coach or consultant and hopefully I will be able to do what I can to serve my country in that capacity in future.
 
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Wonder how useful it will be to have him as a bowling coach or consultant for Pakistan?

Am fine with his views on reasons why unorthodox spinners are not coming forward - but exactly what should be allowed for spinners to do which can remain within the spirit of the game?
 
Accusing the International Cricket Council (ICC) of discrimination against Pakistan cricketers, Saeed Ajmal said that he should have taken legal action against the world body for banning him from bowling. (More Cricket News)

Ajmal, 42, was once ranked world’s number one bowler in ODIs and T20 International cricket. But his career was mired in controversy after being reported for suspect action, first in 2009 during an ODI match against Australia in the UAE. Then, the off-spinner was forced to change his bowling action in 2014, and eventually retired in 2017.

In a hard-hitting interview with PakPassion.net, Ajmal said that he "should have taken legal action against the ICC for banning" him from bowling" and claimed that he "would have won that case."

And he explained why:

"From what I understand, the location of the computer chip which is installed on the body of the bowler can determine if the player passes or fails his bowling action test. The location of the chip on the bowler’s body can mean a difference of 5 or 6 degrees in terms of permissible straightening of the elbow joint which places a big question mark on the whole process," Ajmal said.

Further blaming the ICC for adopting a half-cooked procedure, Ajmal said that "the results of all those measurements are pushed through a ‘black box’ to determine the legality of an action." He added that the procedure is "a complete mystery" and "there is nothing which can be said with 100 percent certainty".

"How can a bowler’s action be deemed illegal based on this testing procedure? You can only have that level of confidence when the ICC can clearly explain how the procedure works," he pressed.

To drive home his claim for ICC's discrimination, Ajmal mentioned the example of fellow Mohammad Hafeez.

"Look at what has been done to Mohammad Hafeez who had been bowling so well [in] international cricket. The poor guy cannot bowl properly due to all these restrictions. Yet we have others, non-Pakistanis, who are bowling freely whilst our guys are being banned for illegal actions," Ajmal said.

Ajmal made his international debut in 2008 and played 35 Tests, 113 ODIs and 64 matches, taking 178, 184 and 85 wickets respectively.

https://www.outlookindia.com/websit...says-he-should-have-taken-legal-action/352283
 
Towards the later stages of his career, Ajmal’s elbow was so bent that he could’ve probably eliminated the use of a run up altogether.

I’ve never seen a more obvious chuck in my life.
 
He can claim anything when he doesn't have to back it up with actions.
 
Former spinner Saeed Ajmal has refuted the corruption allegations made by his teammate Rana Naved-ul-Hassan, who suggested that senior Pakistani players had refused to perform under former skipper Younis Khan in 2009. Hassan had recently come up with a sensational claim alleging that the senior batch of the 2009 Pakistani side had conspired against the then skipper Younis when Pakistan hosted New Zealand on a neutral venue.

Speaking to local Pakistani news, Naved made a shocking revelation suggesting that Pakistan deliberately lost the 2009 One Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand and several senior players underperformed when Younis was the leader of the Green Army. Addressing to strong allegations, Ajmal said that no player plotted against Younis in order to remove him from Pakistani captaincy. Ajmal, who was a key campaigner when New Zealand played Pakistan, rubbished Naved's claim and said that all players had kept the country's pride intact throughout the series.

Players had requested the PCB to advise 'aggressive' Younis
“I can say with conviction that no Pakistan player indulged in any activity that led to any match being lost just so that Younis Khan could be removed as captain. I played in those games and I know that no such thing happened as we all played to win the game,” Ajmal was quoted a saying by pakpassion.net.

However, Ajmal also revealed that the players had insisted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) advise Younis to endorse a 'better attitude' with his teammates. The former spinner, who played 35 Test matches, 113 ODIs and 64 T20Is, also claimed that Younis was an 'aggressive' captain.

“I am not sure why Rana Naved feels that there was some conspiracy against Younis Khan. He was an aggressive captain who played with that mindset and in the previous tour of South Africa, we had requested the PCB to advise him to have a better attitude with his team-mates,” Ajmal said.

'Younis is a great man who has performed really well for Pakistan'

Alongside Ajmal, Mohammed Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal were used to be the senior campaigners for the Pakistani side when Younis was at the helm. Pakistan had lost the three-match ODI series 1-2 in 2009. Pakistan won the series opener by 138 runs but ended up losing the remaining two matches by 64 and seven runs, respectively.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...ul-hasan-pak-players-underperformed-in/588683
 
Otherwise decent interview ruined by his statement that he should have sued the ICC. Yeah right. One of the most ludicrous retrospective statements I’ve heard.

Also this quote deserves immortality

“how else can the bowler compete without looking for that extra advantage which gets labelled as chucking “
 
The main issue in PAK cricket is that blame every one except the individual. Just read his comments about Yasir Shah.

For starters Yasir can take care of his fitness instead he choses to show up overweight. I mean how can you perform in such a shape!
 
He always comes across as a joke so I'm pleasently surprised that he has a very good understanding of the current crop of spinners. Excellent comments on the dearth of finger spin. Can be a very good coach for us in the future
 
Otherwise decent interview ruined by his statement that he should have sued the ICC. Yeah right. One of the most ludicrous retrospective statements I’ve heard.

Also this quote deserves immortality

“how else can the bowler compete without looking for that extra advantage which gets labelled as chucking “

What do you think of his comments on the technology used to test actions? I mean he's gone through them so if there's any inconsistencies he would know
 
He can claim anything when he doesn't have to back it up with actions.

From his perspective I guess he's been through the process a few times, seen how it works, how they collate the results and how they report the results.
 
Good comments from a great bowler and one of the heroes of Pakistan who has given us excellent memories.
 
From his perspective I guess he's been through the process a few times, seen how it works, how they collate the results and how they report the results.

The process changed in 2013 when testing mobed away from Perth to all other centers as well.
 
Doesn't seem to know much about cricket these days Ajmal. In the WC he was asking is the India-Pakistan game going to be played on the same pitch as yesterday's game. When in fact it was the first game of the tournament at Old Trafford :))
 
Ajmal is spot on regarding Shadab. He has a tendency to ball ugly long hops. Whilst he showed good signs with the bat, he needs to work on his bowling - his lines in particular.
 
He was cleared in 2012 and all of a sudden we find out in 2015 that he is bowling at 45 degrees. How can that be? His action didnt change from 2012-2015 he was just as effective. Either the first test was wrong or the second. So he has a point.
 
And? What's your point?

We all know that testing is carried out at various centres.

Previously trsting was carried out at one University only. ICC now doesnt work with them but with msny others. There was a reason why collaboration with that University was stopped.

So what he went through in his first test and what he went through in his tests in 2014 are two different things protocol wise.

With the number of bowlers suspended under new protocols, if there was a chance of a successful legal recourse, atleast one would have tried.

You of all people know what was the single major change in the testing protocol that led to so many bowlers being suspended.
 
Previously trsting was carried out at one University only. ICC now doesnt work with them but with msny others. There was a reason why collaboration with that University was stopped.

So what he went through in his first test and what he went through in his tests in 2014 are two different things protocol wise.

With the number of bowlers suspended under new protocols, if there was a chance of a successful legal recourse, atleast one would have tried.

You of all people know what was the single major change in the testing protocol that led to so many bowlers being suspended.

You are making no sense again.

He knows the protocol, he knows about the centres.

What he's referring to is the accuracy of the testing.
 
You are making no sense again.

He knows the protocol, he knows about the centres.

What he's referring to is the accuracy of the testing.

Well, he accepted the tests when they were in his favour and doesnt want to accept them when they go against him.

Secondly, had the PCB objected to the testing protocols?

As i said, if there was a chance of a successful legal recourse, others would have taken it too, not only Ajmal.

Right now, by bringing in this topic, he is trying to salvage his name that got sullied due to him being banned as a chucker. Ofcourse he doesn't have to back his statement.

He can still sue Icc and demand compensation, if he wins, he can get millions. But will he?
 
Well, he accepted the tests when they were in his favour and doesnt want to accept them when they go against him.

Secondly, had the PCB objected to the testing protocols?

As i said, if there was a chance of a successful legal recourse, others would have taken it too, not only Ajmal.

Right now, by bringing in this topic, he is trying to salvage his name that got sullied due to him being banned as a chucker. Ofcourse he doesn't have to back his statement.

He can still sue Icc and demand compensation, if he wins, he can get millions. But will he?

I think you have a vivid imagination.

He has never had any faith with the ICC testing procedures whether he passed or failed the tests.

We all know to win a legal battle against such organisations will be miraculous.
 
Ajmal's entire career has been blighted because of the fact that he became extremely ordinary once he came back with his remedial action. Hafeez atleast had his batting to fall back on and could hide behind being a part time bowler.
 
Why didn’t you? This guy went from claiming his arm was messed up because of an accident to having no issues fixing his action.
 
Ajmal's entire career has been blighted because of the fact that he became extremely ordinary once he came back with his remedial action. Hafeez atleast had his batting to fall back on and could hide behind being a part time bowler.
Its not easy to bowl with new action especially so late in his career.
 
The question is , if he was so justified then why he did not contest this process.

Overall, there is a trend in our sporting culture, where people come out speaking suddenly after many years that they were treated unjustly by PCB, ICC, or other players. Trying to cover up their own shortcomings or mistakes..Recent example Rana Naveed, he said players under performed to oust Younis Khan in 2009. If that was the case why he is saying this after 10 years..
 
Why didn’t you? This guy went from claiming his arm was messed up because of an accident to having no issues fixing his action.


On board with you 100%. Talent and Zyaddti is such an overused words in our Pak cricket that people use it anywhere
 
I agree that a bend should be allowed but only for ODI and t20... no need in tests as the balance is good
 
This being said, given the massive advantages batsmen enjoy in ODI's and T-20 cricket, spin bowlers should be allowed to bend their arms up to 45 degrees.
 
Just to add something Saeed mentioned to me.

His son is a bright prospect. Batsman who bowls a bit.
 
Pakistani cricketers aren't known to mince their words. Former cricketers from the nation have, time and again, been very vocal on several aspects of the gentlemen's game and also been criticial of the recent performances from the Men in Green in international cricket.

The likes of Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, Rashid Latif, Javed Miandad and many others known to call a spade a spade. Similarly, former spin wizard Saeed Ajmal had also recently accused ICC of being biased when they banned him from bowling due to his illegal action. In a recent interaction with PakPassion.net, Ajmal has now claimed that he should have taken a strict action against the ICC in this regard.

'If I had gone to court against the ICC, then I would have won that case'

Ajmal, who retired from the game in 2017, stated, "I should have taken legal action against the ICC for banning me from bowling. If I had gone to court against the ICC to question their use of technology to assess the legality of my bowling action, then I would have won that case. From what I understand, the location of the computer chip which is installed on the body of the bowler can determine if the player passes or fails his bowling action test." He further highlighted, "The location of the chip on the bowler’s body can mean a difference of 5 or 6 degrees in terms of permissible straightening of the elbow joint which places a big question mark on the whole process."

At the time of stepping aside from international cricket, Ajmal had said in an interview to PTI, "I am retiring with a heavy heart because firstly I think the ICC’s protocol is too harsh and if all bowlers today playing international cricket are tested I am sure at least 90 percent will fail to clear this protocol."

While several controversies surrounded the talented spinner throughout the course of his career, Ajmal did reasonably well in all formats to return with 178 wickets in 35 Tests, 184 wickets and 85 scalps in ODIs and T20Is respectively.

Ajmal was also a part of the Shahid Afridi-led Pakistan's 2011 World Cup campaign, where they were ousted by eventual champions India in a riveting semi-final. However, Ajmal's lbw appeal off Sachin Tendulkar -- which was ultimately turned in favour of the batsman -- remained a major talking point of the contest in Mohali.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...-banning-me-says-pakistans-saeed-ajmal/590549
 
While speaking on Islamabad United’s YouTube channel, Ian Bell recalled the struggle England batsmen had to go through against Ajmal during the aforementioned series.

"I found Muralitharan, who has 800 [Test] wickets, easier to play than Ajmal. Everyone has their individual feelings and all bowlers are different. I felt the longer I was at the crease, I could start to pick Murali. Whereas, with Ajmal, the longer I was there, the worse it used to get," said Bell.

"The quality of spin that we played in that series was right up there with some of the best that I have played. Ajmal was at his absolute peak. As a batting unit, we really struggled to pick him. [Abdur] Rehman bowled beautifully as well. Even speaking to KP, who doesn’t admit very often, I don’t think he had a lot of answers in that series at all," he added.
 
Virat Kohli regarding Ajmal:

It was quite a strong attack and in Bangladesh, the pitches are dry early on and then the dew settles in as the sunsets. So for the first 20 overs, it was in their favour. But I was happy batting next to Sachin,( which incidentally was the master blasters last ODI); The chase was tough and Ajmal was indeed at his peak.”

“But before that game, India had played a T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka. There was a warm-up game and I got a 75 against them. In that match, I had told myself that I will play him as a leg spinner. Because his doosra was quite difficult to face and his off-spinner was not that lethal. so I decided to hit him over covers consistently and it just paid off."

“As soon I negated his doosra then the potency of his threat reduced. Even in that game I scored most of my runs against him through the off-side and kept doing it even against the turn. My only aim was to make him feel unsettled with his doosra and only then I am at the top of my game.”
 
I am not sure if i agree with Ajmal on Yasir. Even on home tracks he has not looked the same. Hopefully Mushi can get something out of him.
 
43 year's old today.

Happy Birthday to him.
 
I agree that a bend should be allowed but only for ODI and t20... no need in tests as the balance is good

NhA should be allowed in all formats. That way even Bangladesh and Sri Lanka would annihilate SENA teams everywhere.
 
Saeed Ajmal named as Islamabad United's Assistant Coach
 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Faf du Plessis "I remember every time I'd go out to bat Saeed Ajmal was warming up to bowl. Sometimes I would wake up in the middle of the night & Ajmal would be bowling at me" (courtesy CSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/gxAtXr0HJP">pic.twitter.com/gxAtXr0HJP</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1353041955052265476?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Regardless of ICC’s testing, his action progressively got worse because he was run into the ground, beyond that I don’t feel he was suspicious during his initial peak
 
Really good interview with an interesting character. I found the “other non-Pakistani players are out there bowling fine and ours get banned for illegal actions” comment a bit odd though — I might not know the full context here but — he seemed to be suggesting a conspiracy of sorts? If so, I wouldn’t agree with him on that, it just sounds like a poor deflection.
 
Greatest match winner spinner ever in white ball cricket.

His career ended really sadly.
 
Really good interview with an interesting character. I found the “other non-Pakistani players are out there bowling fine and ours get banned for illegal actions” comment a bit odd though — I might not know the full context here but — he seemed to be suggesting a conspiracy of sorts? If so, I wouldn’t agree with him on that, it just sounds like a poor deflection.

I don't disagree with him on this. For years Harbajhan bowled without ever being reported.

We are told that the 15 degree bend is so small that it is not visible to the naked eye/in slow mo. I'm sorry but if you ever watch Bumrah bowl, there is a bend in his arm. So if it's not supposed to be visible, does that mean he's chucking?

I don't think any umpire in world cricket would be stupid enough to report someone with the powerful backing of a board like the BCCI. That umpire would likely find his career ended or at the very least, severely curtailed.
 
Really good interview with an interesting character. I found the “other non-Pakistani players are out there bowling fine and ours get banned for illegal actions” comment a bit odd though — I might not know the full context here but — he seemed to be suggesting a conspiracy of sorts? If so, I wouldn’t agree with him on that, it just sounds like a poor deflection.

He was referring to the likes of Harbhajan Singh.
 
I don't disagree with him on this. For years Harbajhan bowled without ever being reported.

We are told that the 15 degree bend is so small that it is not visible to the naked eye/in slow mo. I'm sorry but if you ever watch Bumrah bowl, there is a bend in his arm. So if it's not supposed to be visible, does that mean he's chucking?

I don't think any umpire in world cricket would be stupid enough to report someone with the powerful backing of a board like the BCCI. That umpire would likely find his career ended or at the very least, severely curtailed.

Harbhajan was a chuker. Bumrah has hyperextension, which means his arm bends on the opposite side and goes beyond the parallel, similar to Akhtar.
 
Didn't this fellow claim that his arm was bent due to an accident and he can't bowl normally?

Then he was bowling normally after getting called out, but he very poor when he had to actually bowl.
 
He was referring to the likes of Harbhajan Singh.

Harbhajan had to stop bowling his doosra and he became a ordinary bowler after that. Its common knowledge. It has been mentioned many times in articles.
 
Didn't this fellow claim that his arm was bent due to an accident and he can't bowl normally?

Then he was bowling normally after getting called out, but he very poor when he had to actually bowl.

He was a journey man cricketer. His domestic career suddenly took off once the chucking rules were relaxed with the 15 degree rule. It took him 10-12 years to go from domestic to international. But 2-3 years post the rule relaxation.
 
Why is chucking even banned in cricket?

I (maybe wrongly) believe it allows the bowler to vary the speed of the ball and deceive the batsman. This method of deceiving the batsman is not allowed, that's just a rule of the game. Like the rule that a ball which pitches outside the leg stump line cannot result in a LBW.
 
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He was a journey man cricketer. His domestic career suddenly took off once the chucking rules were relaxed with the 15 degree rule. It took him 10-12 years to go from domestic to international. But 2-3 years post the rule relaxation.

This.

Ajmal was a mediocre bowler when he was clean. But when he became a professional chucker he became a very difficult bowler for batsmen to handle.

But it was just plain cheating. His action wasn't even clean for his off-break, let alone his doosra.
 
Why is chucking even banned in cricket?

dont know if law makers ever though of it but cricket bowlers bowl a huge amount of deliveries and suffer surprisingly few long term elbow injuries (the ones with repeatable easy actions at least), pretty sure having a straight arm has something to do with this. courtney walsh bowled down 110,000 deliveries in 16 years.

also chucking gives slinging pacers and off spinners an advantage, to the detriment of swing and seam bowlers, and leg spinners.
 
Ajmal, got most of his success due to illegal bowling action. If he was banned for that, his record should also be rescinded.
 
He should be thankful that he was allowed to keep chucking for so long by the ICC.
 
Cricket remains the gentleman's game with several proud moments drawing fans closer and closer to the game. However, the sport has also produced some ROFL moments that fans have found difficult to erase from their minds. One such incident was the Saeed Ajmal dropped catch during a match between Pakistan and West Indies in 2008.

In the times of social media, nothing gets spared, literally nothing. A dropped catch, misfield, a moment of aggression on the field, or a glorious boundary. The pictures and videos from the events of the game get circulated on the internet as soon as they take place. Some even get converted into meme material.

While there have been several such moments where cricketers have dropped the easiest of catches, the Saeed Ajmal incident arguably sits heads and shoulders above the rest.

It was Shoaib Malik who witnessed the incident from the closest distance possible. In fact, it was Malik's presence that confused Ajmal and the latter let the ball drop on the ground without even attempting to put his hands underneath.

Malik, in an episode of 'Voice of Cricket', said that even India captain Virat Kohli once spoke to him about that incident asking what did Ajmal tell him after he dropped probably the most hilarious catch of all time.

“Virat yeh puch raha tha, catch to theek hai aap logon ke beech mein gir gaya. Lekin aapko Saeed Ajmal ne kya bola? (Virat was asking, it is fine that the catch was dropped but what did Ajmal tell you after the incident?)”, Malik had said.

The former Pakistan captain then put light on the matter saying: "I asked Ajmal why he got into that catching position if he had to bail out at the last moment. Ajmal said that he was backing up for me. He said if in case, I drop the catch, he was waiting to grab it immediately."

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...hing-his-name-in-cricketing-meme-books/763340


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ICC was at fault for being relax with the rules and than deciding suddenly they were going to be more tight.

They should had allowed the world cup happen than make such strict rules
 
He should be thankful that he was allowed to keep chucking for so long by the ICC.

I would say that there were a few more in that category too.

Some who never even got called for chucking, despite having suspicious actions.
 
I would say that there were a few more in that category too.

Some who never even got called for chucking, despite having suspicious actions.

Thats why they changed the testing rules and removed the perth university from testing facilities list.
 
In most of his international career he bowled within the legal limit allowed though.

And that's why he was called from left, right, and centre to be a chucker by ex cricketers all over the world including the likes of Michael Holding?

A blatant cheat who is a disgrace to the game. Much like Harbhajan Singh.
 
Thats why they changed the testing rules and removed the perth university from testing facilities list.

Despite that, there have been bowlers who got away without any scrutiny during their careers. The reality is they should also have been called out instead of it being brushed under the carpet.
 
And that's why he was called from left, right, and centre to be a chucker by ex cricketers all over the world including the likes of Michael Holding?

A blatant cheat who is a disgrace to the game. Much like Harbhajan Singh.

Being called a chucker is different from being one legally.

He was tested in 2012 and his bend was within the limit allowed at the time.

2014 the rule changed and he no longer was allowed to legally bowl with his then action and hence was rightly banned?

But surely you can’t blame a person for not adjusting his action in 2010-14 for a rule which was brought on 2014 onwards.

I blame ICC here for their own confusion on this.
 
A chucker threating to sue ICC for banning him, why not, all thieves should also sue the police for capturing them while stealing.
 
Aaron Finch on Saeed Ajmal on his instagram chat:

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnThisDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnThisDay</a> in 1977. Saeed Ajmal was born in Faisalabad. He played 212 times for Pakistan & was awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz in March 2015 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/dihJSkHfqX">pic.twitter.com/dihJSkHfqX</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1448549459860893698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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In conversation with Usman Khawaja last year:

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnThisDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnThisDay</a> in 1977. Saeed Ajmal was born in Faisalabad. He played 212 times for Pakistan & was awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz in March 2015 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/twBtbgaBaS">pic.twitter.com/twBtbgaBaS</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1580878960816140288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Up there with Saqlain as the greatest LO spinner ever. An absolute match-winner and a great character as well. No one could touch him from 2010 to 2014.

Happy he has a good coaching job. Hopefully, he can unearth another offie who has a potent doosra for us. I feel that such a spinner would wreak havoc at the international level today.
 
A cheat and a liar. His records should be wiped.

I’m glad he has become a forgotten man in Pakistan cricket history. No one talks about him anymore.
 
ODI Great, T20 great and cricketing ATG as a spinner. Shame he wasn't born 5 years earlier as he would've survived the ICC bowling action cull like Murali did.

The current team (and cricketing world as a whole) is seriously lacking a good spinner and prime Ajmal would be a treat to watch right now.

Underrated batting skills too for a tailender.
 
Up there with Saqlain as the greatest LO spinner ever. An absolute match-winner and a great character as well. No one could touch him from 2010 to 2014.

Happy he has a good coaching job. Hopefully, he can unearth another offie who has a potent doosra for us. I feel that such a spinner would wreak havoc at the international level today.

Saqlain was not banned for chucking.

Its an insult to Saqlain to be compared to a chucker.
 
A cheat and a liar. His records should be wiped.

I’m glad he has become a forgotten man in Pakistan cricket history. No one talks about him anymore.

Spot on... should be kept away from any coaching or mentoring roles
 
Ajmal did not lose respect because he was caught chucking. He lost respect because he lied about not being physically able to bowl within the limits because of a childhood accident.

However, when he got banned, he was physically able to bowl within the limits. It’s just that he was terrible.

He is only slightly more honorable than fixers.
 
Absolute legend it was all within laws,demolished Eng in Emirates which was a dream series 10fer by a spinner in Cape Town never happened before, countless Odis and T20s he won us and even some of the best of best struggled against him, if he would have toured Eng in his prime He might had got a knighthood :bumble
 
There is a stronger case for ICC being sued for allowing him to bowl with that action for that many years before finally banning him. I know hindsights a wonderful thing but his action looked super dodgy even on a tv screen back then.
 
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