Worcestershire captain Daryl Mitchell proclaimed the ‘wizard was back’ after Pakistan's spin ace Saeed Ajmal put in a match-winning performance against the T20 Blast North Group leaders Durham on Friday.

Ajmal, in his third stint with Worcestershire, returned figures of 3/16 as his side pulled of an improbable win against a Durham side which was cruising towards the target of 159 in England's domestic T20 competition. The 37-year-old offie, however, picked up wickets at crucial stages to put a dent in their victory charge.

Mitchell was all praise for the Pakistan spinner, who is gradually returning to form with a remodelled action, after the match.

“Credit to the lads to show some spirit to fight back, helped by a little bit of magic from Saeed Ajmal, the wizard is back and that was a fantastic spell from him.”

Ajmal will be with Worcestershire until July 7 and available during that period for three Championship matches - starting with tomorrow's home derby against Warwickshire - and eight NatWest T20 Blast games.

With the spinner currently out of favour with the Pakistan selectors, batting mainstay and team mate Moeen Ali said Ajmal's gradual return to form was a terrific sign for the county and would help them in retaining their spot in Division One.

“With Saeed coming into the side, hopefully it will give us more confidence to really go out and really perform.”

“He is dying to get back into the Pakistan side. For him, I hope he does get picked.”

“But, if he is with us for the rest of the season, it will be a big boost to the hopes of staying up, definitely.”

“We will have a great chance to stay in Division One if we've got Saeed for the whole year. With him in the side, it's perfect. You've always got a wicket-taker up your sleeve.”

Ajmal has so far played three T20 Blast games and picked up 7 wickets for 95 runs.