Saeed Ajmal still has work to do despite credible improvement in his action

Saeed Ajmal

A statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday said that suspended Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal’s bowling action has improved tremendously, but he still needs to get the degree within the permitted limits.

Ajmal, who was reported for a suspect action during the second Test against Sri Lanka at Galle, was barred from bowling after biomechanical tests conducted on him revealed that all his deliveries were found to be beyond the 15-degree mark.

Former Pakistani off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq was then appointed to help improve his action and then the board sent the 37-year-old to Loughborough in England for an unofficial assessment on November 10th, the results of which were found to be satisfactory.

"After tests on November 10 at Loughborough University, an ICC-accredited facility for tests on bowlers with suspect actions, biomechanist Dr Mark King has reported that Ajmal has modified his bowling action substantially,” the PCB said.

"While there is clearly a substantial improvement from the previous official test it is likely that with additional work the bowler can bowl within the 15-degree limit." the statement added.

Ajmal will return to work with Saqlain after spending one more week in England. He is one of seven bowlers to be barred from bowling for having an illegal action this year.