Saeed Ajmal announces retirement

Not long ago, Saeed Ajmal was considered a genuine match-winner for Pakistan. The best of batsmen found it tough to read his off-spins, which eventually turned him into a terror tweaker.

Saeed Ajmal , who turned 40 last month, lost his flair after his action was deemed illegal by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2014.

Not long ago, Saeed Ajmal was considered a genuine match-winner for Pakistan. The best of batsmen found it tough to read his off-spins, which eventually turned him into a terror tweaker.

That impact was gone a couple of years ago following his re-modelled action.

And now, Ajmal too is set to make it to the list of former cricketers.

CAREER IN NUMBERS

Tests: 35 Wickets: 178 Average 28.10 Best: 7-55

ODIs: 113 Wickets: 184 Average: 22.72 Best: 5-24

T20s: 64 Wickets: 85 Average: 17.83 Best: 4-19

 

On Monday, the Pakistan spinner announced that he would retire from all formats of the game once the ongoing National T20 tournament gets over.

Ajmal, who turned 40 last month, lost his flair after his action was deemed illegal by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2014. Though he underwent a corrective programme under the watchful eyes of Saqlain Mushtaq, he failed to get his rhythm back.

“The national event is my last tournament and I don’t want to be a burden on any team,” Ajmal was quoted as saying by Pakistani media. “I am highly satisfied with my career although the last two years were frustrating. The process of dealing with bowlers of illegal action seemed to be only for me and (Mohammad) Hafeez because there are a number of bowlers who are still playing with faulty actions.”

Returning from a suspension, Ajmal played two ODIs in Bangladesh in 2015 with a reworked action, but he failed to impress. His last game for Pakistan was a T20 International in Dhaka on the same tour.