Updated on
Summary As expected, English media has started creating confusion about Ajmal's bowling action.
In keeping with the tradition of faulting foreign players after English defeat, the British media twisted a quote from the Pakistani spinners interview in which he referred to his earlier clearance by the ICC.Saeed Ajmal, the 34-year-old off-spinner who took 24 wickets in the 3-0 Test series whitewash of England, was quoted by the British and other western media as that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has allowed him extra leniency, up to 23.5 degrees to bend his arm.I dont know about my bowling action, but somebody was telling me your action is bad. ICC has allowed me 23.5 because my arm is not good because of an accident, that is why a problem, BBC television showed Ajmal as saying on Monday after being declared man-of-the-series.Otherwise no problem, straightaway cleared by ICC.Pakistan won the third and final Test here by 71 runs.His bowling action, reported by match officials during a one-day series against Australia in 2009 before it was cleared after remedial work by experts, once again came under suspicions following his career-best 7-55 in the first Test, also played in Dubai.Former England paceman Bob Willis raised suspicions over his doosra (second one) -- a ball which turns the other way than a normal off-break -- while England coach Andy Flower said he has his own opinion and left the matter to the ICC.But after Ajmals claim on relaxation, Flower on Tuesday showed surprise.If thats the degree, then theres a problem, said Flower when asked about Ajmals claim of special dispensation. Thats ridiculous.That is an ICC issue, though. They are there to police the game, and make sure that it is played within the rules, so theyve got to scrutinise his action.Weve all got our own views, but our job is to combat whoever is put against us, and part of it is also to play the game in the right spirit.Pakistan cricket team management said Ajmal was cleared by the ICC within the permissible limits and they will issue a further clarification shortly.An ICC spokesman said that the games governing body was looking into Ajmals comments and that no player has been given permission to allow bending arms beyond 15 degrees.A Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman meanwhile said that Ajmal is not a native English speaker, and his comments could have taken in the wrong context.
