LAHORE (Web Desk) – Pakistan’s disgruntled right-arm off-spinner Saeed Ajmal on Monday criticized the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) testing procedures for checking the actions of international bowlers, saying the body cannot ensure the accuracy of its equipment.
When asked about the accuracy of ICC’s bowling action tests, the 38-year-old off-spinner said he didn’t think they don’t think they were accurate.
“Careers are at stake here and these things need to be tested thoroughly before bowlers are banned. Can the ICC say that their testing procedures are absolutely accurate? No, they cannot. Therefore, the careers of bowlers are being jeopardised by equipment that is not totally accurate”, Express Tribune reported while quoting Pakpassion.net on Monday.
Ajmal further said if ICC can prove the efficacy of the equipment, he will be satisfied.
The off-spin maestro, who had to remodel his action after he was penalized for bowling with an illegal action, said modern day cricket is shooing spinners away from the game.
“Modern day cricket has become a game designed for batsmen,” said Ajmal. “Spinners are penalised for their bowling actions but look at the size of cricket bats these days, they are like tree trunks. Also look at the power-play rules and the relevant field-settings. Fast bowlers have been given two bouncers an over, but what concessions have the spinners been given? Nothing apart from more suspicion and scrutiny.”
The spin maestro added that only some bowlers are being monitored closely while others have been given leeway.
“The art of off-spin is dying; the number of off-spinners around the world is dwindling and even some of those have dodgy actions,” he said.
He added: “I feel that as a Pakistani I am scrutinized more than bowlers from other countries. Everyone can see that some bowlers are getting away with their actions, but others are monitored closely and banned.”
Ajmal further criticised the ICC showing leniency towards certain bowlers with illegal actions.
“I have video proof that the bowling actions of some bowlers are not legal but they have never been reported,” said Ajmal. “What hurts me is that I was suddenly banned after seven years of playing international cricket and no consideration was given for my unusual action due to an accident I was involved in.”
Earlier, in September 2014, Saeed Ajmal had been banned from bowling in international cricket by the ICC after his action was deemed to be illegal for all deliveries. The case was reported after Pakistan’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
He was cleared to bowl again a week before last year’s World Cup but has struggled to replicate the control that once made him a universally feared spinner.
