KARACHI: Country’s ace off-spinner Saeed Ajmal emphasised on Saturday that the upcoming series against world’s top Test side South Africa would be keenly contested as Pakistan seek a turnaround after their average showing in Zimbabwe recently.

Ranked among the world’s best off-spinners alongside Graeme Swann of England, Saeed feels the best way to bounce back against the Proteas is to prepare turning tracks for the two Tests in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

“I think there is no harm at all if we try to take them on with our main strength, which is spin bowling,” said Saeed while talking to Dawn from his hometown of Faisalabad. “This was how we beat England [then the top-ranked Test side] when we played against them in the UAE 19 months ago.

“Every country indulges in such practice when the pitches are prepared to suit the home team. The conditions in South Africa, when we toured there earlier this year, were a big contrast. The tracks in all three Test centres [Johannesburg, Cape Town and Centurion] favoured fast bowling and the result was 3-0 defeat for us.”

The soft-spoken Saeed — who will be celebrating his 36th birthday on the opening day of the first Test on Oct 14 — admitted that Pakistan have better spinners than South Africa who will be relying on Lahore-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir and slow left-armer Robin Peterson during the upcoming Tests.

“Definitely, we have a clear edge over them. Abdur Rehman has been an excellent induction in the side and we have done pretty well in tandem. The reason we beat England 3-0 in 2012 was both us of complimented each other [Saeed claimed 24 wickets and Rehman 19]. Rehman and I have always enjoyed bowling together, Saeed declared.

“And then we also have the vastly experienced Zulfiqar Babar [who like Rehman is a slow left-armer] a genuine wicket-taker who could also make significant inroads [if he is selected]. So basically we have our bases well covered as far spinners are concern.”

When asked to comment on his performances in recent months with the critics saying that he has become an easy picking for the opposing batsmen who tend to face him with more confidence, Saeed dispelled the notion.

“Teams obviously do their homework when they play a particular side these days. The coaching staff does spends a great deal of time in planning. The batsmen, naturally, are taught to focus on the bowling of the opposing team with special emphasis on the main strength. Likewise we do the same but it doesn’t mean that our performances have not been good,” said Saeed, who has been Pakistan’s top bowler in 2013 with 25 wickets in five Tests.“I have performed well in Test matches [this year] but in the eyes of some people probably not with the consistency as they have got used to. Of course, there is always room for improvement and I keep on working hard to remain fit and in form.”

Saeed, who is currently Pakistan’s 12th highest wicket-taker in Test cricket with a haul of 147 in just 28 matches, has also taken 146 wickets in 92 One-day Internationals and 73 in 54 Twenty20 Internationals.

He revealed that he was taking his batting seriously given the frailties of Pakistan batsmen. “I think it is our duty [as bowlers] to contribute as many runs as possible, particulary when the team collapses. Previously, I didn’t take batting seriously. But now my thinking has changed and I do spend a lot time in the nets with Shahid Aslam [a former first-class player who is Pakistan team’s assistant manager]. He has been a great help in improving my batting.”

When away from national duty, Saeed usually is found busy supervising the development of a cricket academy he had planned some years back.

“Yes, whenever time permits me, I do stay in Faisalabad where I have built a cricket academy. The project is almost complete and hopefully would become operational early next year. This is a small contribution on my part for the people residing here,” the spinner said of the academy named after him. “The Saeed Ajmal International Cricket Academy will have state-of-the-art facilities. In fact, the arena has enough space to stage first-class matches in the future.”

Saeed further stressed that credit should always be given wherever due and said Zimbabwe’s shock 24-run win in the final Test at Harare was achieved due to the hardwork put in by the hosts.

“Zimbabwe played exceptionally well to beat us fair and square in that second Test,” admitted Saeed. “Believe me, we were taken by surprise how competitive they were throughout the series. At times we thought we were up against Australia and not Zimbabwe! But we should have played better as a team to win the series.”

“We, however, need our media and our people to support and encourage the team, particularly in difficult times. Even if they are criticising [the team’s performance] it should be healthy and constructive. There are occasions when certain individuals resort to personal remarks, which I think is totally unfair.”