His Career in a Spin, Saeed Ajmal Pooh-Poohs Retirement Talks
Saeed Ajmal has been sidelined from international cricket ever since he was called for chucking the ball by International Cricket Council officials in August 2014 and sent for action correction.
His career in knots, Saeed Ajmal is perhaps facing the greatest challenge of his cricket career - to keep his morale high and stay positive for an international recall. The Pakistan off-spinner, once much feared for his well-disguised 'doosra', seems to have lost his magic and is being written off in several quarters.
This week, there have been contrasting reports about the future of the 37-year-old Pakistan off-spinner, who was sent for action correction after International Cricket Council officials booked him for chucking the ball.
Having performed poorly in the National T20 Cup - two wickets in four matches at a cost of 124 runs - PTI reported that Ajmal was mulling retirement. Soon after, Ajmal took to social media to deny this.
All news speculating about my retirement r wrong.I'm very positive,confident of gradually improving performance.I don't give up.#saeedisback
- Saeed Ajmal (@REALsaeedajmal) September 15, 2015
Ajmal said he was not "giving up" plans for an international comeback and would keep backing himself till he won the hearts of the national selectors. Chief selector Haroon Rasheed has been supportive, willing to give Ajmal, once Pakistan cricket's first-choice spinner, the time to earn a recall.
"It is never easy to change your bowling action after you have bowled with it and enjoyed success for so many years. We feel for Ajmal and the problems he must be going through," Rasheed told PTI. (Ajmal Wants to Retire With Pride and Honour)
"But at least he is trying and like I have said the doors are still open for him if he can show us his new action has also become effective," added the Pakistan selector.
Ajmal was banned by ICC in August 2014. He, like West Indian Sunil Narine, missed the 2015 World Cup. Ajmal, who has claimed 178 Test and 184 ODI wickets, has been struggling with his re-modelled bowling action and failed to cement his spot in the team since returning from suspension in February. (Ajmal Demoted in List of Central Contracts)