Ajmal took 72 wickets in the 12 month period. -Photo by Reuters

KARACHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has said that Saeed Ajmal will not be included in the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year shortlist.

"The ICC has no authority to change the results of the academy," an ICC spokesman was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. "The voting results are final and binding on everyone."

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had lodged an official protest with the ICC against Ajmal's inclusion. The 34-year-old’s name did not feature among the four nominees, despite being the leading wicket-taker in Tests in the period under consideration.

South Africa’s Hashim Amla and Vernon Philander, Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara and Australia’s Michael Clarke all made the list.

The ICC holds the annual awards ceremony to recognise the best players and umpire in international cricket.

The names are chosen by a 30-member jury comprising of former players, officials and journalists. This year’s ceremony will be held in Colombo on September 15.

Ajmal took 72 wickets in the 12 month period, including 24 in Pakistan’s 3-0 rout of then world number one Test team England earlier this year.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...
Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...