Saeed Ajmal makes scathing revelation about how his international career unfolded
Saeed Ajmal (Image Credit: Twitter)
Former Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was one of the greatest bowlers when he played the game. Even though he made his debut in his 30s, he managed to make up for his lost time. However, his career took a major hit when he was suspended from international cricket after his bowling action was found illegal. He missed out on playing the 2015 ODI World Cup alongside Mohammad Hafeez whose action was reported too.
He did make his comeback after remodeling his bowling action. However, the right-arm bowler wasn’t as effective as he used to be and was dropped from the team after getting bashed by Bangladesh in early 2015. After a while, he retired from international cricket and took up coaching. Seven years after this, the 2009 20-20 World Cup winner has opened up on how his international career ended.
Inzamam ul Haq told me the PCB chairperson doesn’t want me to play for Pakistan: Saeed Ajmal
“Jab main (action) remodel karke aaya, mujhe bas ek match khilaaya. Mujhe Inzy bhai ne kaha ki domestic me perform karo. Maine kaha agar mujhe domestic me perform karna hai, then main kyun khelu? Mera ek naam hai, reputation hai. Vo bolein, nai, karein. Main khela Karachi ke liye. (When I returned after remodelling my action, I played only one match. Inzy bhai asked me to perform in domestic cricket. I said, I’ve made my reputation and yet they want me to prove myself? Inzy bhai said yes, you have to. I played for Karachi then),” Ajmal began as he narrated his story on Ultra Edge podcast.
“Karachi had never won T20 competition. I took 20 wickets in that competition and we won the championship trophy for Karachi. Maine call ki Inzy bhai ko, unhone kaha ki chairman sahab nahi chah rahe ki aap khelein. Maine kaha theek hai, main vaapis aa gaya. First class me 4-5 matches khela, dobara T20 competitions aaya aur usme main second-highest wicket-taker tha. (Karachi had never won the T20 competition. I called Inzy bhai again but he said that the chairman doesn’t want me to play. I went back to domestic cricket and performed in T20 competition again).
“Maine pucha ki is there any chance I can play for Pakistan again? They said no. Maine kaha ki main retirement le raha hu. Thank you very much for your support. (I asked again, is there any chance for me to play for Pakistan again? They said no. Then, I decided to retire),” said Ajmal.
