PCB contacts Saqlain Mushtaq over throwing controversy
Doosra inventor to support Ajmal
Former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has confirmed he will help countryman Saeed Ajmal correct his bowling action which led to his suspension from international cricket.
Ajmal's suspension has dented Pakistan's hopes for next month's limited overs and Test series against Australia in the United Arab Emirates next month and more importantly in next year's World Cup – but there could be a way back, if Saqlain has his way.
Saqlain, 37, invented the "doosra", a delivery which turns away from the batsman as opposed to conventional off-spin.
It is widely believed that bowlers who bowl the doosra bend their arm more than the allowed 15 degrees, though Saqlain himself was not accused of chucking during his career.
"We are in contact with Saqlain and are in the process of negotiating the contract with him to help Ajmal on his action," said a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesman.
Saqlain, who took 208 Test and 288 one-day wickets in an illustrious career that included a long stint at Surrey, confirmed he would help.
"Yes, I am ready to help and I am in contact to work out modalities of my travel to Pakistan," Saqlain told AFP from London on Wednesday.
I will help and support saeed ajmal to the best of my ability if required
— Saqlain Mushtaq (@Saqlain_Mushtaq) September 9, 2014
The International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Tuesday that Ajmal would be suspended from international cricket after a biomechanical analysis of his action in Brisbane found his bowling arm flex was more than the 15 degrees allowed.
His action was reported during Galle last month's Test against Sri Lanka.
The PCB initially said it would appeal against the suspension but later changed its stance and asked its committee on illegal bowling action to assess the report.
The committee has recommended that Saqlain must be requested to help Ajmal.
As per ICC rules Ajmal will remain suspended until remedial work on his action after which he can apply for a reassessment.
But if reported again within two years, Ajmal would be banned for a year.
The PCB meanwhile has stopped Ajmal from speaking to the media.
"I shall wait for the outcome of deliberations and verdict of Pakistan Cricket Board's Illegal Bowling Action Committee and until that process is complete, I shall not be making any further comments on the subject," Ajmal was quoted in a PCB release as saying.
Meanwhile, it was also reported that Pakistan legend Wasim Akram believes Ajmal's problems began with his involvement in the County Championship.
“The whole thing started from England – Michael Vaughan started that with his tweet and others followed,” said Akram, as reported by pakpassion.net.
“Knowing fully well that he is our key bowler, I would have never allowed Saeed Ajmal to play County Cricket.
“PCB should have countered this by withdrawing Ajmal from the County Circuit whilst compensating him for any financial loss.
“Saeed Ajmal should know that the whole cricketing fraternity and hopefully the PCB are all behind him in this time of need.
“Ajmal bowled over 600 overs (throughout 2014) and natural tiredness can creep in and make the action appear incorrect.
“He is the best we have – who else will support him if we also abandon him?”
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.
10 September: Bangladesh fast bowler Al-Amin Hossain is reported for a suspected illegal bowling action and ordered to undergo testing within 21 days.