Saeed Ajmal needs more work to be done on his action, unlikely for World Cup: PCB official

Saeed Ajmal

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to delay the biometric tests that were meant to be conducted on banned spinner Saeed Ajmal, days after asking the ICC for dates to conduct the tests. The 37-year-old was banned from bowling earlier this year after all his deliveries were found to be exceeding the 15-degree limit.

A PCB official had earlier told PTI that the board had initially asked the ICC for a date to conduct these tests.

Ajmal has been working with former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who has been helping him in getting his action right. But it now seems like he will need some more time to make the necessary changes before he can take the tests.

"But now on the advice of Saqlain Mushtaq who is working on his action in the United Kingdom we have requested the ICC to put on hold our request until we are certain Saeed is ready for the official test again," the official said.

"Saqlain has informed us that while Saeed has shown overall improvement in his corrected bowling action but there is still work to be done on his doosra delivery," he added.

We want Ajmal to play few domestic games before being tested: PCB

The official also said that Ajmal has been informed to return to Pakistan as early as possible, and the board is planning to make him play a few first-class games before he goes for the biometric tests.

"Saeed himself is very confident he can pass the ICC test but we don't want to take any chances and it would be better if he now plays a few domestic games before he can be sent for the ICC official test," the official added.

When enquired if he can make the cut to the World cup, another official said that it would be very hard for him to be part of the Pakistani contingent Down Under in February.

"It doesn't appear that way because now it seems there is still more work to be done on his action and that requires more time. We have included him in the World Cup probable squad of 30 players, but we have to finalise the 15 member squad by January 7," he said.