LAHORE: Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal fails to impress biomechanists much at the Loughborough University, according to a report received by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“After tests on Nov 10 at Loughborough University, an ICC accredited facility for tests on bowlers with suspect actions, biomechanist Dr Mark King has reported that ace off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has modified his bowling action substantially.

“There is clearly substantial improvement from the previous official test where the average elbow extension was 40 degrees but the amount of elbow extension is still over the 15 degree limit, but it is likely that with additional work the bowler can bowl within the 15 degree limit.”

After working on remodeling his action for nearly a month and a half with Saqlain Mushtaq and other National Cricket Academy coaches, Ajmal was sent to Loughborough, England last week for unofficial testing at ICC’s accredited centre.

Ajmal was tested by Dr King and his team with 18 Camera Vicon MX13 System Cameras (250 Hz). The standard ICC Illegal Action Testing Protocol was used to assess the degree of elbow extension from the point of upper arm horizontal to ball release within the bowling action.

Meanwhile, the PCB said that following this report, it was decided to extend Ajmal’s stay in England by a week, to allow him to engage in further remedial work with Saqlain Mushtaq at Leicester.

A PCB official on the condition of anonymity told Dawn that Ajmal’s bend was still above 30 degrees and he had remote chances of making comeback in international career.

PCB chairman Shaharyar M. Khan in his diplomatic language had also hinted that the bowler had 50-50 chances for clearance.

Fortunately for the PCB, spinners Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah are performing well in the UAE.

Published in Dawn, November 16th , 2014