Harbhajan Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin Are Chuckers, Fumes Saeed Ajmal

Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal is very angry and frustrated these days. He is out of the national team as younger bowlers have taken his place, but that hasn't stopped the 38-year-old Ajmal from hogging media spotlight. The best way to do this is making allegations against Indian players. (Saeed Ajmal Becomes Member of a Religious Group)

Ajmal, who returned to international cricket in April after remodelling his action, claimed that Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin were chuckers, but never punished because "they belong to India."

"Harbhajan and Ashwin definitely bend their arms more than 15 degrees, but their actions are not monitored properly. If Harbhajan bowls 60 deliveries, all of those are illegal. Ashwin sometime bowls properly but sometimes chucks. But they are let off even after chucking for years," Ajmal said in an interview to Pakistani channel, Dunya News.

'Bias Against Pakistan'

"But look at our Bilal Asif. If he takes five wickets in one match, in the very next match he is called for chucking by the umpires. This is clear-cut bias against Pakistan cricketers." (Bilal Asif Cleared of Suspect Bowling Action)

According to International Cricket Council (ICC) rules, bowlers are permitted to bend their bowling arm up to 15 degrees, which has been established as the point at which any straightening will become visible to the naked eye.

Ajmal said that if Harbhajan was tested properly, then it would be revealed that the veteran Indian was a chucker. Harbhajan has over 700 international wickets.

"If Harbhajan has taken 400 to 450 international wickets, then all of them are due to chucking. People call me a chucker, fine, I agree with it because I have got a medical condition. No doctor in the world can cure the natural bend of my arm but still I am being singled out," said Ajmal, who has 178 Test wickets and 184 ODI wickets to his name.

"If Harbhajan is tested then it will be revealed that he bends his arms more than 15 degrees. There are several other bowlers, but I will not reveal their name. But my question is why always are Pakistanis being targeted?"

Ajmal argued for Bilal Asif, who was let off after being called for illegal action recently. "Bilal Asif is not called for chucking in one match and in the very next match he is targeted. I think he has always bowled within the rules," he said.

'ICC Unfair on Implementing Rule'

Ajmal, who was banned last year for chucking, accused the ICC for not acting against every country in an equal way.

"If ICC has to follow a rule then it should be followed against everybody. West Indies Marlon Samuels was also called for chucking but what about the other countries? If you have to monitor, then look at everybody and not only on Pakistanis," he said.

"I am not saying ICC is showing bias, but I would advise ICC to look into the matter that why Pakistanis are always targeted by the umpires. It is the world body and ICC look after every team."

Ajmal, whose doosra delivery became very popular but later banned, said that it was possible to bowl a doosra within rules.

"The doosra delivery adds variety to an off-spinner's attack. Pakistan invented it with Saqlain Mushtaq being the first expert of it. More than bending the hand, the doosra is all about wrist-work and variation of pace," he said.

Hints at Test Retirement Next Year

The off-spinner also hinted that he might retire from Test cricket next year.

"I am not retiring from Test cricket right now. However, I think in near future I will have to quit the longer format. Next year may be I will retire, if I think I have not got enough energy for the longer format," he said.