World Cup 2015: Minus Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan a Car Without Engine, Says Sunil Gavaskar

Misbah-ul-Haq-led Pakistan team are upbeat ahead of their World Cup 2015 opener against arch-rivals India on Sunday, but the absence of leading spinner Saeed Ajmal may tilt the balance in Mahendra Singh Dhoni's favour, feels NDTV expert Sunil Gavaskar. (Complete World Cup coverage | Fixtures | Teams | Players | History | Schedule)

 

Ajmal was suspended for a suspect bowling action by the International Cricket Council in September 2014. Despite taking corrective measures, Ajmal pulled out of the World Cup in December. After several unofficial and official tests, Ajmal's action was cleared by the ICC on February 7, 2015. (Dhoni Downplays India's Record vs Arch-Rivals)

 

While fans and experts back Pakistan to break their World Cup jinx against India in Adelaide on Sunday, former India skipper Gavaskar rued the lack of a potential match-winner like Ajmal in the Pakistan line-up. (Pakistan's Lack of Experience Worries Inzaman-ul-Haq)

 

"Without Saeed Ajmal Pakistan are half the side. Ajmal was one bowler who was not only able to restrict runs but he was also picking wickets. He was tough to get away with, he was tough to attack. Pakistan without Ajmal are like a car without an engine," Gavaskar told NDTV. (Beware of Mohammad Irfan, Rahul Dravid tells Team India)

 

Gavaskar went on to shower more praise on Ajmal, saying, "Ajmal was pretty much like Muralitharan at his peak. Murali would pick wickets for Sri Lanka and he would also bowl with an economy rate which was under four and that's why he was such an important cog in their attack." (Chance for Pakistan to create history, says Moin Khan)

 

In an era heavily dominated by batsmen, Ajmal's 183 scalps at a miserly economy rate of 4.19 in 111 ODIs is testimony to the fact that he is one of Paksitan's most potent match-winners.

 

VVS Laxman, another former Test cricketer, feels Pakistan's inability to fill the void left by Ajmal upsets their chances of beating India for the first time in World Cups.

 

"I think they have still not got an answer to the loss of Ajmal. They are hugely-dependent on him. I think they don't have a wicket-taking bowler of his capability," Laxman told NDTV.

 

The battlelines are drawn. Pakistan have to move ahead and face the high-pressure clash vs India without Ajmal in their ranks. Can they turn the tide on India and prove the experts wrong? Or will the absence of Ajmal help India maintain their dominance?