KARACHI: Star Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has been given clearance by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to play a shortened stint with Worcestershire in the English season.
The 36-year-old’s departure was held up after the PCB discussed the matter following confirmation of Pakistan’s tour to Sri Lanka in July-August.
“We have given NOC to Saeed Ajmal but want him to return in mid-July so that he can be part of team’s tour to Sri Lanka,” PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed told AFP late Thursday.
Pakistan will play two Tests and three ODIs in Sri Lanka on a tour which was only finalised last week on the sidelines of an ICC meeting in Dubai.
Saeed, meanwhile, said he would fly early next week and will be available for Worcestershire’s home match against Derbyshire on April 27.
“I am quite used to playing in the English season, but duty-bound to return for national duty once the PCB wants me,” he said.
Regarded as one of the best spinners of modern times, Saeed has so far played 33 Tests, 110 ODIs and 63 T20 matches.
He took 24 wickets in helping Pakistan rout then-world number one Test team England 3-0 in their 2012 series in the UAE.
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