No plans to retire from international cricket: Ajmal

Published September 15, 2015
“I am a fighter and will fight to gain my spot. Not retiring,” Ajmal said. — AP
“I am a fighter and will fight to gain my spot. Not retiring,” Ajmal said. — AP

Saeed Ajmal has rubbished reports claiming the Pakistan off-spinner was mulling retirement after being overlooked by national selectors for the recently concluded Sri Lanka series.

A report by Press Trust of India claimed Ajmal was “disappointed with his own form and his failure to come to grips with his modified bowling action” and was thinking about calling time on his career.

Ajmal, in a statement to Dawn in response to the report which had also been picked up by certain sections of the Pakistani press, quashed the 'rumours' and said he was “very confident and content” with his gradually improving performances.

“I am a fighter and will fight to regain my spot. Not retiring from international cricket at all,” the 37-year-old told Dawn.

The bowler's manager also clarified to Dawn that all reports about Ajmal's retirement were baseless.

“All these reports are false,” Moghees Sheikh, Ajmal's manager said.

Ajmal was banned by the International Cricket Council for a suspect bowling action in August 2014, before being cleared to return in February this year.

The spin maestro last turned up in Pakistan colours in a Twenty20 match against Bangladesh, finishing with figures of 3.2-25-0.

He also played two ODIs on the Bangladesh tour and was off colour. His 19.1 overs in the two games cost 123 runs for a solitary wicket.

But Ajmal remains optimistic of regaining his form with the remodelled action and winning his place back in the Pakistan side.

Opinion

Editorial

Trade cooperation
Updated 05 Jul, 2024

Trade cooperation

Will Shehbaz be able to translate his dream of integrating Pakistan within the region by liberalising trade cooperation with South and Central Asia?
Creeping militancy
05 Jul, 2024

Creeping militancy

WHILE military personnel and LEAs have mostly been targeted in the current wave of militancy, the list of targets is...
Dodging culpability
05 Jul, 2024

Dodging culpability

IT is high time the judiciary put an end to the culture of impunity that has allowed the missing persons crisis to...
Elusive justice
Updated 04 Jul, 2024

Elusive justice

Till the Pakistani justice system institutionalises the fundamental principles of justice, it cannot fulfil its responsibilities.
High food prices
04 Jul, 2024

High food prices

THAT the country’s exports of raw food rose by 37pc in the last financial year over the previous one is a welcome...
Paralysis in academia
04 Jul, 2024

Paralysis in academia

LIKE all other sectors, higher education is not immune to the debilitating financial crisis that is currently ...