TSE Exclusive: Saeed may get his action reported, team officials fear

TSE January 16, 2012 0

TSE Exclusive: Saeed may get his action reported, team officials fear

KARACHI: As Pakistan and England are set to lock horns for the much-awaited Test series from Tuesday, another controversy is knocking at the door of Pakistan cricket team as the team officials have expressed fears that the English team may object to Saeed Ajmal’s action during the series.

Sources told The Sports Encounter late Sunday that the team management has been asking Saeed Ajmal to decide against bowling his newly-invented variation, “Teesra”, as his action might get reported.

“Pakistan players and team management are well-aware of the capabilities of the orthodox off-spinner and believe that Ajmal would prove too good for the English batsmen. Saeed Ajmal is also confident about his preparation for the series”, the sources said adding that English team normally makes such lame excuses when their chips are down and if Saeed Ajmal dented them in the series then there is chance that they may ask the on-field umpires to report his action.

The reliable sources also claimed that the team management has discussed their reservations with Saeed Ajmal separately and not in a formal meeting.

It is merit mentioning here that the batsmen can only lodge their complain with the on-field umpires about any bowler’s action, thereafter the umpires notice the bowler and if they catch him as with suspect action then they report match referee. Match referee, after watching video evidence of the respective deliveries and after consultation with the on-field umpires, forward the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) which has the final authority to either clear or ban the bowler.

If the ICC finds anomaly in the bowling action then they call the bowler in bio-mechanics lab in Australia and stops him from bowling until a decision is taken about his action.

Interestingly, Saeed Ajmal’s bowling action was previously reported in 2006, when Australian batsman Shane Watson complained with the umpire about his action while delivering “Doosra”.

Former West Indies captain, Sir Vivian Richards has also raised questions about Saeed Ajmal’s bowling action while he delivers “Doosra” variation.