LAHORE: While incumbent Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Shaharyar M. Khan, reckons Saeed Ajmal’s inclusion in the World Cup squad is not possible, ex-chief Ijaz Butt wants the wily off-spinner to be part of the World Cup squad that badly needs him for the mega event.

Talking to Dawn on Saturday after the International Cricket Council (ICC) cleared Ajmal’s bowling action, Shaharyar said: “Ajmal has cleared the first phase but the second is yet to be cleared: to prove how much he is still effective with his remodelled bowling action.

Read: Saeed Ajmal's bowling action declared 'legal'

“Ajmal needs to first play domestic cricket to make comeback in the national team [for the World Cup],” Shaharyar added.

Ijaz Butt wants off-spinner in World Cup squad

When asked to comment on some news reports suggesting the team management in Australia had conveyed to the PCB that it didn’t need Ajmal even if he cleared the test, Shaharyar acknowledged it was the case.

“The PCB had considered a proposal when Junaid Khan failed the fitness test as we have the right to make a change in the team on technical grounds.

“We discussed a proposal with the team management that as Ajmal’s bio-mechanics test report was about to be received [then], he could replace Junaid, on clearing the test. But the team management declined the offer, saying it needs a pacer to replace a pacer [Junaid], and so Rahat Ali was selected,” Shaharyar explained, adding he valued the team management’s decision on the replacement.

Meanwhile, when contacted, Ijaz was surprised over the team management’s call on the bowler of Ajmal’s class.

“As Ajmal’s action has been cleared, [to me] he becomes an automatic choice and I think the team management should not have overlooked him,” the former PCB boss stated. “Our bowling attack currently doesn’t look strong and Ajmal’s induction could have given it much needed boost.”

Also read: Ajmal expresses World Cup desire after ICC clearance

Noting some reports coming from Australia signalled pacers Wahab Riaz and Sohail Khan along with all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez were facing fitness problems, Ijaz reckoned the PCB could ask the ICC for another replacement on technical grounds to include Ajmal in the squad.

Meanwhile, Shaharyar said according to the team management, Wahab and Hafeez had minor fitness issues and soon they would be available for selection.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2015

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