ISLAMABAD: Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has dismissed speculations about his retirement and insisted that he is still a “good limited-overs bowler,” adding that he had at least “two years of competitive cricket” left in him.
“I never wanted to retire in obscurity as I have done enough for Pakistan to win matches single-handedly,” Ajmal was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo on Thursday.
The cricketer said that he wanted to retire with “respect and honour” as he announced that he would discuss future plans with selectors.
Ajmal has seen his career nosedive ever since he was banned from international bowling in September last year. He remodelled his action, which was cleared five months after he was banned, but his bowling came short of its earlier menace.
He returned less than impressive numbers for Worcestershire as well, having played nearly an entire season for 16 wickets at an average of 51.25. Ajmal's fallow phase coincided with the rise of Yasir Shah and Zulfiqar Babar, both of whom have cornered Pakistan's spin-bowling spots.
“Obviously I needed some time to settle down with my bowling action,” Ajmal said. “I could have persisted for the national selection earlier but it might have been a risky case as we have seen Hafeez is reported again after being cleared. So it's a matter of getting things right and wait for the right time.”
Saeed Ajmal said that cricket is sometimes "cruel", where people forget the good and make the bad parts the defining features of the cricketers.
"There are ups and downs in cricket and you can't deny the fact every day is a new day and you can't be taking five or ten wickets in every match. We are human and its natural to have good days and bad days.”
The off-spinner said he was assured that he would be considered and would not be discarded.
Acknowledging Yasir and Zulfiqar's place in the team, he said both spinners were doing very well and that he did not want to dislodge their place.
“I know I am not able to get wickets in four-day cricket maybe because the pitches (in England) are green, soft and it rains a lot but at the same time I am still a better limited-overs bowler and taking wickets in the shorter format."
The determined bowler added that there was still "room" for him in limited-overs cricket and that he would prove it in the next T20 cup in Pakistan.
Ajmal, who will turn 38 next month, will be playing for Faisalabad Region under Pakistan Test captain Misbahul Haq. He will have at least five group matches to impress the selectors, who will monitor the performances for the upcoming Zimbabwe series starting from September 27.
