Pakistan haven’t ruled out a late cricket World Cup call-up for controversial spinner Saeed Ajmal, despite questions over his match fitness, effectiveness and eligibility.
On Saturday the International Cricket Council approved the contentious bowling action of the 37-year-old offspinner, who has been a mainstay of Pakistan’s one-day attack in recent years.
Ajmal has taken 183 wickets in 111 ODIs at an average of just 22.18 and a miserly economy rate of just 4.13.
But he has been has been less effective in Australian conditions, taking just three wickets in four ODI at an average of 66 and economy rate of 5.01.
He was suspended last year for an illegal bowling action after being reported during a Test against Sri Lanka in August.
While Ajmal can now return to international cricket, he can only be included in the Pakistan squad if the ICC event technical committee rule an incumbent squad member out with a legitimate injury.
Ironically, the day before Ajmal’s clearance, Pakistan received permission to replace injured Junaid Khan with fellow paceman Rahat Ali.
There are doubts too over key allrounder Mohammed Hafeez, another offspinner, who is also currently suspended due to a suspect action, but hasn’t been able to undergo a bowling test in Australia, due to a calf issue.
“Obviously we want him (Hafeez) to play a major part of the World Cup and if the physios suggest that it’s not possible then we have to take any step,” Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said in Sydney on Sunday.
Ajmal’s only games since his suspension were a couple of low-key one-day matches for Pakistan A against Kenya in December and Misbah said there was a lot of ifs and buts over the spinner’s possible call up.
“Let’s see how it goes in the next week, because the team is already announced and everybody is here,” he said.
“He hasn’t played any sort of (major competitive) cricket yet for the last five, six months.
“That’s a big concern because to go into a competition of high degree cricket, you need a little bit of a level of cricket behind you.”
