LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan has assured his full support in getting banned off-spinner Saeed Ajmal back into the international fold.

Shaharyar, who also met head coach Waqar Younis to take his input before announcing Shahid Afridi as T20 captain on Tuesday, said Ajmal had served Pakistan with great distinction and now it was time PCB helps him will all kind of support.

Shaharyar said Ajmal is determined for his rehabilitation for which the PCB could also send him abroad, if necessary.

“The services of a bio-mechanic expert are also being hired for his rehabilitation, besides the hiring of [former Pakistan off-spinner] Saqlain Mushtaq [the inventor of the ‘doosra’] to rectify his bowling action,” Shaharyar told Dawn.

“In the meantime, to find out the best replacement for Ajmal, some spinners have been invited to the NCA and the selectors would pick the best one from them for the upcoming series against Australia [from Oct 5].”

Shaharyar informed that he also met Waqar, who arrived in Lahore late on Monday night, and consulted him over the decision of appointing Afridi as T20 captain.

Waqar later gave his input to the national selection committee, which also held its meeting at the Gaddafi Stadium.

However, the selectors decided not to announce the Pakistan team against Australia as per schedule. It was learnt the selection committee has decided to announce it in Karachi during the National T20 Cup, which starts from Wednesday.

Shaharyar added that since he had consulted with all other stakeholders over the appointment of a T20 captain, the input from head coach was taken on Tuesday and his meeting with the head coach remained positive.

Shaharyar also visited the national women’s training camp on its last day of training on Tuesday, one the eve of the team’s departure for the 17th Asian Games which start in Incheon, South Korea from Sept 19. The women’s team are the defending champions.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2014