Ex-captain says Ajmal ban leaves Pakistan in tatters
Pakistan is 'finished' says Latif
Former Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif said Pakistan was "finished" as a threatening bowling unit following Saed Ajmal's ban for bowling with an illegal bowling action.
Quick Single: ICC rules all Ajmal deliveries illegal
Latif said the International Cricket Council's ban was a major setback as the country had a lack of quality spin options in reserve with planning for not only the impending visit of Australia in October, but also next year's ICC Cricket World Cup now in tatters.
"The sad part is that we haven't tried any other specialist off-spinner in international matches and now our World Cup plans are severely dented," said Latif.
"[Pakistan] bowling is finished without Ajmal.
"I had doubts for the last few months … because the way he bowls it's hard to get away with at in Test matches."
Quick Single: Ajmal speaks out after ban
Latif said he did not believe there was enough time for Ajmal to undergo the necessary work to remodel his action, be tested again and cleared by the ICC before the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup in February.
Following October's tour by Australia, Pakistan is scheduled to host New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates at venues where Ajmal had claimed 67 wickets in 12 Test matches.
Ajmal's report for suspected illegal bowling during Pakistan's recent Test series with Sri Lanka prompted the Pakistan Cricket Board to form a committee to identify and help bowlers with suspect actions at an early stage after the recent development.
Quick Single: Timeline for Pakistan appeal
"A committee under former spinner Iqbal Qasim has been formed to help bowlers with suspect action," the PCB said in a recent statement.
Former paceman Mohammad Akram, spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed and umpire Aleem Dar will also be on the committee.
Besides Ajmal, Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Shabbir Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez and Riaz Afridi have been reported for suspect actions at international level in the past.
Quick Single: Ten bowlers banned for throwing
In 2005 Ahmed became the first bowler ever to be banned for a 12-month period by the ICC after his action was reported twice in 12 months.
"This is a major problem for Pakistan," said Qasim, who took 171 wickets in 50 Tests.
"We need to spot young bowlers with suspect actions and improve their actions in the academy.
"It is important to help the bowlers at an early age of 16 or 19 because once they get mature it's tough to alter their actions."
Suspect actions in the news since June
3 June: Sri Lanka off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake is reported for a suspected illegal bowling action and ordered to undergo testing within 21 days.
22 June: New Zealand off-spinner Kane Williamson is reported for a suspected illegal bowling action and ordered to undergo testing within 21 days.
28 June: The ICC Cricket Committee meets in Melbourne and recommends an increased focus on bowlers with questionable actions.
12 July: Senanayake is banned from bowling by the ICC after undergoing official testing in Cardiff.
23 July: Williamson is banned from bowling by the ICC after undergoing official testing in Cardiff.
11 August: Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal is reported for a suspected illegal bowling action and ordered to undergo testing within 21 days.
15 August: The ICC confirms three newly accredited testing centres will be unveiled in the coming months.
22 August: Zimbabwe off-spinner Prosper Utseya is reported for a suspected illegal bowling action and ordered to undergo testing within 21 days.
25 August: Bangladesh off-spinner Sohag Gazi is reported for a suspected illegal bowling action and ordered to undergo testing within 21 days.
25 August: Ajmal begins official testing at Cricket Australia's National Cricket Centre in Brisbane.
9 September: Ajmal banned with immediate effect by ICC. Pakistan Cricket Board say they will weigh up their options, while Ajmal says a medical condition is to blame and he remains confident of playing in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.