Saeed Ajmal in No Hurry to Comeback, Wants to Earn Back his Name
Saeed Ajmal's rather brief return to the international arena was unimpressive. Just one wicket from two ODIs and a T20I was a pale shadow of erstwhile successes. The bowler though wants to work hard to cement his place rather than bank on his reputation.
Cricket has come a full circle for Saeed Ajmal. From the giddy heights of being the most successful spinner to being axed from the team against Bangladesh, the Pakistani cricketer now faces an uphill task to reclaim his lost glory. Although he's 37, Ajmal is in no rush to showcase his famed doosras and is willing to work hard for his second birth in international cricket. (Bangladesh Eye Maiden Win over Pakistan)
Close to 500 wickets in Tests and ODIs propelled Ajmal into the cricketing hall of fame. In the recent matches against Bangladesh though, the bowler could not even find a place in the playing XI. With one wicket from two of three ODIs and a T20I between Pakistan and Bangladesh, Ajmal was dropped from the subsequent Khulna Test as well.
Cricket is a great leveler and Ajmal has been compelled to acknowledge it the hard way. (Wahab Riaz Fined for On-Field Altercation)
"For me it's been a tough last eight months and I knew it will be tough moving forward also," he was quoted as saying by Cricinfo, ahead of the second Test against Bangladesh. "I'd said prior to coming here that I need time and I am disappointed that I am not able to fulfil the expectations of the nation. But I spoke to the captain and the coach and they have a plan for me. I need time to regain my confidence. It doesn't come in overnight."
Ajmal's struggle has indeed been a drawn-out nightmare since he was banned from bowling by the International Cricket Council in September of last year. Several months and agonizing tests later, Ajmal is back on the international stage. ('Embarrassing' Pakistan Need Wholesale Revamp: Rameez Raja)
This time, he wants to work even harder to earn accolades rather than bask in the glory of past triumphs.
"I don't want to play cricket on the basis of reputation," he said. "I want to play with my head held high and with the same confidence level I had in the past. Things are not going well presently, but you will see in coming days that I have improved. If I am benched, that is the plan and the players playing in place of me are the best and performing well."
The problem for Pakistan though is that Ajmal's replacements - in fact most of the team - are not performing well. The side was whitewashed in the ODIs and one-off T20I before allowing Bangladesh to stage a massive fightback to draw the first Test. Even as former cricketers back home call for massive upheavals, Bangladesh eye their maiden win against Pakistan in the second Test starting Wednesday.
Will Ajmal spoil their strategies or will he continue to bide his time?
In his decision, rides Pakistan's luck going forward.