LONDON: Pakistan star off-spinner Saeed Ajmal seemed to have regained his form as he took frist five wicket haul since returning to cricket and guide Worcestershire to an innings victory.
It was a giant leap towards rehabilitation after Saeed Ajmal’s re-modeled action made him less effective in international cricket.
He may not be the magician who claimed 63 wickets in nine games in last summer’s promotion charge, but for the first time since he was forced to re-structure his action, he has hinted that he could become a match-winner again.
Saeed Ajmal ended with match figures of 46-14-100-8 for Worcestershire against Hampshire in the County Championship.
He had an outstanding figure in the second innings of the four-day match with a five-for. He bowled 17 overs (102 balls) out of which 92 were dot balls with an economy rate of 1.64.
Ajmal was banned by the International Cricket Council for a suspect bowling action in August 2014, before being cleared to return in February.
The match against Hampshire was the off-spinner’s fourth First-class match since his return.
Worcester’s Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes said he was ‘comfortable’ with Ajmal’s new action.
“The way that he’s bowling at the moment, is tremendous. His arm is very straight and we are very comfortable where he is at regarding his action,” Rhodes said.
