ICC reject PCB's plea to include Ajmal

E-Paper | June 13, 2026

comments

Join our Whatsapp Channel

Add Dawn as a trusted source

Ajmal took 72 wickets in the 12 month period. -Photo by Reuters

KARACHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has said that Saeed Ajmal will not be included in the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year shortlist.

"The ICC has no authority to change the results of the academy," an ICC spokesman was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. "The voting results are final and binding on everyone."

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had lodged an official protest with the ICC against Ajmal's inclusion. The 34-year-old’s name did not feature among the four nominees, despite being the leading wicket-taker in Tests in the period under consideration.

South Africa’s Hashim Amla and Vernon Philander, Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara and Australia’s Michael Clarke all made the list.

The ICC holds the annual awards ceremony to recognise the best players and umpire in international cricket.

The names are chosen by a 30-member jury comprising of former players, officials and journalists. This year’s ceremony will be held in Colombo on September 15.

Ajmal took 72 wickets in the 12 month period, including 24 in Pakistan’s 3-0 rout of then world number one Test team England earlier this year.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Sport

Anthony Gordon stars as England beat Costa Rica 3–0 in World Cup warm-up in Orlando

FIFA chief defends ticket prices, brushes off visa issues

Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 to kick off 2026 FIFA World Cup

Muzzammil

Sep 05, 2012 01:36pm

Are you the member of BCCI

Recommend 0

Ahmed Sultan (India)

Sep 06, 2012 11:50am

If you cant provide security to visiting players, who will play there. Even Bangladesh refused to tour Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Ahmed Sultan (India)

Sep 06, 2012 10:23am

Allah made us win 50 over world cup again Allah will make us win 20 over world cup.

Recommend 0

Ali

Sep 05, 2012 01:42pm

but why did they change their decision for Graeme Swan after English Board protested last year?

Recommend 0

Marcus Khaleeq

Sep 05, 2012 12:58pm

Pakistanis are always complaining with every decision that does not suit them. This is undermining the authorities of ICC who are a responsible body. ICC and many member countries have been helping Pakistan in difficult times of not being able to hold cricket matches in Pakistan for security reasons. One must learn to be grateful rather than being hateful all the time.

Recommend 0

Siddharth

Sep 06, 2012 09:00am

Ajmal is a top class spinner and deserve to be in the nominee list. Its a clear case of biasing from the jury which prepared the list.... :(

Recommend 0

saurabh3747

Sep 08, 2012 09:33am

You forgot to mention USA and mossad. Lol. Who send ajmal kasab to Mumbai

Recommend 0

GoodNews

Sep 06, 2012 01:58pm

You should say "we will not bother" meaning BCCI or the ICC who is the "lay palak" of BCCI/India.

Recommend 0

saurabh3747

Sep 07, 2012 12:38pm

Pakistan can win against anybody but not against India. People with memory problems can't even tell the last time Pakistan won against India not even in under 19.

Recommend 0

Muzzammil

Sep 08, 2012 07:33am

if yr country can stop sending raw agents then it would be very helpful to provide security.

Recommend 0

Hassan

Sep 06, 2012 04:10am

Freedom of right of expression? Justice? only in the air when it suits you?? you make me sick marcus and rakesh

Recommend 0

Dr sikander Sher

Sep 05, 2012 02:01pm

we should boycott the ceremony and subsequent icc ceremonies just as the South Africans did in 2006 or 2008 don't remember the exact year

Recommend 0

Jawwad

Sep 05, 2012 01:52pm

So If no other umpires are winning the coveted award other than Pakistanis, don't it mean that others were biased in decision making and therefore not being selected time and again? what does it tell us then?

Recommend 0

ALI TARIQ

Sep 05, 2012 01:43pm

In 2010, England offspinner Graeme Swann was omitted from the longlist for the Cricketer of the Year award prepared by ICC itself but after the ECB put up his case, the ICC included his name after admitting an oversight.

Recommend 0

syed

Sep 05, 2012 07:27pm

oh really, what about england and srilnaka? they are also consider low par? do your reserach man!

Recommend 0

Osman

Sep 06, 2012 06:21am

Such misinformation: It is in fact Pakistan that is held responsible for everything bad that happens in India, even before an investigation is launched in an incident or accident. Everything bad that happens in Pakistan, we blame it on more than one force: US, Pakistani Politicians, India, Ignorance, Afghan Policy gone bad and so on. At best, India is probably 3rd on our list of blame game. India is not that important for us yet, unless you yourself believe that it is Indian state-sponsored funding and strategy that is fueling hatred, violence and instability in Pakistan? That theory is very plausible too and, if true, then may be we need to move you up to the top of our blame list. What say you?

Recommend 0

GoodNews

Sep 05, 2012 07:11pm

O'really the 32 experts who did the review for cricketer of the year did not reveal their policies like you've done for them here. Well, its only for Pakistani player you wouldn't have done so for Indian player. Its a joke that Saeed Ajmal is not a world class player. If you can reveal the experts policies and why did they not choose Saeed Ajmal please tell me what Shiva Lingam is and how is it related to cricket.

Recommend 0

Ahmed Sultan (India)

Sep 06, 2012 11:38am

some mistakes: 1. The player name name is VIRAT KOHLI and he is Pakistan's nightmare. STOP blaming India for even your fever.

Recommend 0

Zahid

Sep 05, 2012 01:46pm

Wow unbelievable comment! So it is Pakistan that is undermining the authority of the ICC by simply lodging a protest? And the fact that BCCI ignores or rejects any new rules that ICC introduces should be seen as a supportive gesture?

Recommend 0

Nadeem Mirza

Sep 06, 2012 03:43am

Hey Rakesh Hello! Ajmal took wickets against England, SA, Newzealand, West Indias and now doing his magic against Australia (Highest wicket taker again). He is the best bowler in the world period! Like it or not, aknowledge it or not. Fact remains no matter how many twist you will try to make.

Recommend 0

Ali Tariq

Sep 06, 2012 04:39am

Ajmal had 72 wickets from 12 test matches in the same period that featured 24 wickets in three matches against the no. 1 ranked England, 15 in three matches against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, 18 in three matches against Sri Lanka in UAE (I believe Sri Lanka play spin very well) and 15 against Zimbabwe/Bangladesh. Its the same England team that thrashed India 4-0 . Afghanistan does not play test cricket . Please do some research before you comment . I rest my case.

Recommend 0

Atta Khan

Sep 05, 2012 06:58pm

That is not a problem. God willing Ajmal will be main achiever in T 20 world cup and Australian T20 match and Pak team God willing will do well and will be T20 Champion for 2012. WHO CARES ABOUT ICC AWARDS!! THEY ARE AGAINST A CRICKET TEAM.. THE talent is there and PAK team will always be winners inshallah due to Allah SWT great help and talent.

Recommend 0

Anonymous

Sep 05, 2012 10:15pm

anyone who watch and understand cricket would be surprised to know that ajmal was not nominated. If performance does not make you the best player then I am not sure what the criteria of ICC is to choose the best test player of the year.probably someone who dress smart. :-)

Recommend 0

Mohsin

Sep 06, 2012 10:17am

To Rakesh I think u watched the games only aginst those teams u mentioned

Recommend 0

shoaib

Sep 06, 2012 12:38am

Rakesh are you out of your mind ajmal destroyed England number 1 test ranked team and what about sri lanka and recently against Australia in ODIs and your saying he can only take wickets against bangladesh, afghanistan and zimbabwe...

Recommend 0

Fen Tian

Sep 06, 2012 10:13pm

That's why you lower than Pakistan in Test and T20 ranking .How does it feel to lose test matches 3:0 and 4:0 against England and Australia ;)? Have a life man

Recommend 0

Mohsin

Sep 06, 2012 06:04am

I think u watched the games only aginst those teams u mentioned....now tell me one thing, pakistan played against zimbabwe oly once, didnt played against bangladesh in tests for mentioned calender year, afghanistan didnt have the test status....now can u please elaborate your statement? England, srilanka, australia, westt indies..these are the teams Pakistan played in the calender year....as India is frightened to play against Pakistan...otherwise he will take 30 wickets in 3 match series just like saqlain did in 1999 series...shame on your biased thinking.

Recommend 0

Omer

Sep 06, 2012 06:10am

Mr Rakesh, he took 24 wickets against England in just one series. And at that time England was ranked as number one team in the world.. hope this helps keeping your records straight. Its Sachin Tendulkar who scored most of his centuries against weaker teams ;')

Recommend 0

Rakesh

Sep 05, 2012 03:39pm

I agree - India is responsible for everything bad that heppens to Pakistan.. ha ha ha. ICC looks for the players performance when against top teams - Ajmal has taken most of his wickets agains teams like Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe etc which does not make him a world class player.

Recommend 0

abdul

Sep 05, 2012 03:39pm

Shame for your Mr. Marcus!!! Its his right, and u consider it as a begging!!!

Recommend 0

Mustafa

Sep 05, 2012 04:20pm

Pakistan must boycott the awards ceremony as South Africa did in 2009.

Recommend 0

sujithra

Sep 10, 2012 05:43am

saeed ajmal is quality spinner and he deserves to be in the list but y u guys suddenly blame india for his missing?aamir sohail who was in the jury list is a pakistani i think.nobody from india were in the jury list.guys jusy grow up ,u can protest and say your thoughts but dont blame us or make joke of us for everything.we would love if ajmal win that award.thnk u

Recommend 0

Fen Tian

Sep 07, 2012 04:05am

Simple as that boycott India and England sponsored ICC Award.Let them award themselves and clap their hands themselves .Both are poor losers! One (India) is scared of playing in UAE because it cannot handle temperature of UAE as it always loses in UAE,the other team (England) confidence was shattered by Pakistan's Ajmal ,Rehman,Hafeez.How can they nominate and award Ajmal who had damaged their reputation.Look where India lies today in Test from Number 1 to below Pakistan and just above Bangladesh .England already sliding in downward direction,seems competing with India who is going to be first to reach lowest position in ICC ranking .Good luck to both the team for trying to achieve the lowest position.May almighty fulfill their wishes !!!

Recommend 0

GoodNews

Sep 05, 2012 01:56pm

We are grateful to ICC that in the last three and half years we could not have any international game in Pakistan. On top of that we really thank ICC for not including Saeed Ajmal in the Test Cricketer of the year even though he tops the list of leading wicket takers of the year. Remanence of SA apartheid.

Recommend 0

Ahmed Sultan (India)

Sep 06, 2012 08:55am

Do it. Nobody will even bother

Recommend 0

ALI TARIQ

Sep 05, 2012 01:33pm

Oh please ! He deserves to be there ! He took 72 wickets in the calender year ! This is not us being hateful but demanding justice . ICC has never done any thing to help Pakistan. Its an India influenced body .

Recommend 0

Hassan

Sep 07, 2012 06:04am

excellent reply Mohsin.. you spoke my mind.... right on bulls eye

Recommend 0

Hassan

Sep 07, 2012 06:03am

well said siddharth... your statement is appreciated.. not because we are from pakistan but because your saying the truth...

Recommend 0

Rohan

Sep 06, 2012 06:16am

Rakesh - f you don't consider Ajmal to be a world class player you should seriously consider reading and understanding what world class means. Secondly, get your facts right, Ajmal took 24 wickets against England (ICC No.1 test team at that time) and became the 3rd fastest bowler to take 100 test wickets in 19 matches (1st 16 matches, 2nd 17 matches and 3rd 19 matches) and matching I.Botham's record. Marcus Khaleeq - ICC is a biased council and Pakistan is fighting for his right, not begging. Ajmal deserves to be nominated even if he doens't win. Hashim Amla has had an amazing year as well which has made him a very strong candidate for the award.

Recommend 0

Khan

Sep 05, 2012 01:09pm

Such a biased council!!

Recommend 0

Ahmed Sultan (India)

Sep 06, 2012 09:17am

Sachin doesn't need these awards his trophy shelf is full of stuffs like these. Out of Sachin's 100 centuries 81 have been against Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, England, New Zealand, West Indies and Pakistan. Get your facts right first anyways it doesn't matter what people across the border think about him.

Recommend 0

Fen Tian

Sep 05, 2012 10:46pm

ICC cannot digest that Pakistan thrased 3:0 England and Indian cannot that they are below Pakistan in Test and T20 ranking as of today.For both the teams England and India nightmare it has been Saeed Ajmal.So how can he be handed award for debacle of Indian and England team.

Recommend 0

Sep 06, 2012 09:36am

Mr Omer, Sachin has scored most of his test runs against Australia, which has by far been the most consistent team in his playing period. Get your facts right. He has 3438 runs at an average of 58 against them with 11 hundreds.

Recommend 0

Bailey

Sep 05, 2012 05:39pm

Unlike Swann in 2010, Ajmal was in the longlist this year but missed out when an independent 32-member jury that included former Pakistan captain Aamer Sohail and Pakistan journalist Majid Bhatti nominated Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara, South Africa fast bowler Vernon Philander, Australia captain Michael Clarke and South Africa opener Hashim Amla for Test Cricketer of the Year. Courtesy Cricinfo

Recommend 0

Bharath

Sep 07, 2012 03:16pm

Australia and Ireland are separated by 1 or 2 points in the T20 rankings, does that mean they are evenly matched sides???? In the last decade, India has clearly been the dominant team when it comes to India-Pakistan encounters. And man to man India is a much better team than Pakistan irrespective of the format. You are coming in December. Get ready to get thrashed again.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Why SQD-Mini LED is the display breakthrough we’ve been waiting for?

The display industry is entering a new phase, where reducing trade-offs is as important as pushing performance limits.

The Palms at Silk Gardens introduces a new family address in Karachi

The Palms places families at the heart of its vision, offering thoughtfully planned 2 and 3-bedroom units in a secure, peaceful and community-led environment.