Whenever I turn on the TV set, flip through channels and happen to run into highlights of a match featuring him, I stop
I just have to, every single time
The magic Saeed Ajmal was able to produce with just his fingers was simply mind-boggling, and to think the Pakistani off-spinner has announced retirement from all formats of cricket, honestly kills me
What I and many others out there are unable to register in our minds is the fact that not only cricket but life too is moving at a rate that is simply unimaginable
The ones we once called heroes are slowly but surely hanging their boots
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="514"] Saeed Ajmal sets off for a run after dismissing Suresh Raina, India v Pakistan, 3rd ODI, Delhi, January 6, 2013
Photo: BCCI[/caption] But it was different with Saeed Bhai
Had his action not been reported back in 2014, we would have seen more of the magician himself on the big stage
However, everyone soon found out and the wit and confusion of the Ajmal of 2012 that single-handedly stunned England in the famous whitewash back in the day, slowly faded away
Post the illegal action dilemma, the code was finally cracked
The mystery behind the magician was figured out
Ajmal was never the same again
Whom the batsmen once feared, was being hit for sixes all over the park
As he went onto say soon after, Ajmal’s statement could not have been truer: “Ground has been pulled from under my feet
” Who was once Misbahul Haq’s go-to guy, the ace card, the not-so-secret secret weapon, was soon sidelined, and before one even realised, fresh talent eventually replaced experience
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Saeed Ajmal took four quick wickets, Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 1st Test, Galle, 4th day, August 9, 2014
Photo: AFP[/caption] Ajmal is one of the many victims of the issue of ‘illegal bowling action’
As his performances suggest, the little advantage the magician had with his earlier action soon diminished with his modified round-arm approach
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="420"] Saeed Ajmal bowls on day one, Sri Lanka v Pakistan, second Test, SSC, Colombo, August 14, 2014
Photo: AFP[/caption] The 40-year-old, hailing from Faisalabad, came late onto the international scene, but once he did, he made sure the world would remember his name
And that is exactly how it turned out
Ajmal was termed as one of the finest bowlers to use the “doosra” so effectively
His odd action combined with his street smart character was able to instil confusion in the hearts and minds of countless batsmen that only ended up either getting trapped leg before or having their stumps disturbed, in the process of reading him
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Saeed Ajmal approaches the bowling crease, Pakistan v West Indies, Champions Trophy, Group B, The Oval, June 7, 2013
Photo: AFP[/caption] Ajmal represented Pakistan in 35 Tests, bagging 178 wickets at a strike rate of 65
1 and an average of 28
10
He played 113 ODIs for Pakistan, most of them before he was asked to remodel his action, and bagged 184 wickets at an average of 22
72 with a strike rate of 32
6
In T20Is, he boasts 85 wickets in 64 matches
Giving credit where due, one has to appreciate and applaud his decision to retire at a respectable age, considering how some of our players refuse to retire even when they have nothing left to offer to the gentlemen’s game
According to Ajmal, “I am not doing this under any pressure from anyone
This is my own decision
I have turned 40 now, I had to leave cricket one day, so I thought I should announce my retirement since the matches are being broadcasted live
” Now that everything is done and dusted, one can only look back and relive the countless memories Saeed Bhai gave us, and wish that somehow, someday, Pakistan is able to produce another spinner like Ajmal
Till then, thank you and farewell, Ajmal! [poll id="776"]
Date: | 17-Nov-2017 | Reference: | View Original Link |
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