Days before the World Cup 2015, Pakistan has received a severe jolt as their star off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has pulled out of the tournament because of suspect bowling action.
Ajmal was banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for exceeding 15-degree permitted flex limit, but the off-spinner, despite doing remedial work on his bowling action, still needs time to correct his action.
Pakistan Cricket Board chief, Shaharyar Khan informed that Ajmal will not be competing in the World Cup 2015 as an unofficial test this month revealed that he is required to do more work on his action.
“Ajmal has withdrawn himself from the Pakistan World Cup squad as his remodelled bowling action needs further remedial work before it can be officially retested,” Shaharyar Khan informed.
“We didn’t want to take a risk with Ajmal’s career because latest reports suggested his elbow extension was not still within the 15 degrees allowed by the International Cricket Council despite all the remedial work on his action.”
“We were aware that if he took the official ICC test in a bid to make the World Cup squad and failed it he could be suspended from playing for one to two years and that would mean the end of his career,” Shaharyar added.
Ajmal is a part of Pakistan’s 30-member provisional squad for the World Cup, starting February 14. He, meanwhile, will continue working with former off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq to correct his action.
