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Saeed Ajmal Q&A: “99 per cent of bowlers these days would fail the 15 degree test”

Spinner says 'only an expert can answer how accurate the technology is.'

Saeed Ajmal remains hopeful that on-going remedial work on his bowling action will enable him to play in the 2015 World Cup.

The Pakistan spinner continues to work on his technique at Loughborough but hopes the International Cricket Committee will clear him for a return to action next month.

In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net, the spinner told Saj Sadiq about his frustration with the testing process and asserted that “99 per cent of bowlers these days would fail the 15 degree test”.

Here’s the Q&A in full…

Recently Dr. Mark King stated that there had been substantial improvement in your bowling action, but that additional work is needed before you can bowl within the 15 degree limit. What do you make of his assessment?

Image: Saeed Ajmal bagged 63 wickets for Worcestershire at 16.48 apiece in County Championship division two

Ajmal: I'm very pleased with the assessment of Dr. King. It was very heartening to hear what he had to say. I was expecting a reduction to about 30 degrees but to see that some deliveries are down to 20 degrees is fantastic and positive news for me. Also, what is really encouraging is that most of my deliveries are now within the 15 degree limit. The ICC's rules of course stipulate that all deliveries have to be under 15 degrees and I'm very confident that I will achieve that target with the help of Saqlain Mushtaq and all the other individuals who are helping me and guiding me.

Which delivery or deliveries are still above the 15 degree limit?

Ajmal:
 It's just the doosra which is over 15 degrees now. All of my other deliveries are under the 15 degree limit. I'm working hard on adjusting the doosra to ensure that it is also under 15 degrees and I'm confident that I will manage to do that. The problem which I have is that my arm is bent and that is a disadvantage for me when I bowl.

At times it must feel like you are almost reinventing yourself as a bowler?

Ajmal:
 Yes it does feel like that. It's been a difficult time and it's been frustrating at times as I've had to go back to the basics of spin bowling, right back to the start and work through the whole process. The frustration is due to things which have previously never been mentioned, but then are pinpointed in the various reports. This is what I find rather puzzling.

Can you elaborate on these items that are appearing on the reports?

Ajmal:
 Well the frustrating thing is that I was tested in 2009, tested again earlier this year and have had private tests on my bowling action recently. Every single one of those tests has produced different results. There is just no consistency at all in these tests and the subsequent reports. If there was consistency then I would know where I stand. I work on rectifying one issue and then in the next report something different is pointed out to me. I’ve mentioned this to the Pakistan Cricket Board and they are taking the matter up on my behalf, so let’s wait and see what the outcome is.

Based on the differing test results over the years, do you have faith in the technology that is being used to assess your bowling action?

Ajmal:
 I’m just confused by the results and only an expert can answer how accurate the technology is. What is baffling me though are the differing results from every test that I have on my bowling action. How can the results be so different? We have to have faith in the technology but I just hope that the technology being used by the ICC to test bowling actions is 100 per cent accurate, as careers are at stake and any slight error could be catastrophic for a cricketer.

Also the markers placed on the body when the tests are being conducted move around and vibrate when various muscles are being used whilst bowling. How much of an impact on the results are being made by the markers moving around should also be looked into in my opinion, as I’m certain they are having a bearing on the final results.

There's much discussion about how you have totally changed your action, can you clarify exactly what changes you have made?

Ajmal:
 Let me clearly state that I have not changed my bowling action, the action is still the same. What changes we have made are minor technical changes that Saqlain Mushtaq has suggested and worked with me on. When I (God Willing) come back to international cricket it will seem to everyone that my action is exactly the same.

Do you agree with the theory from some analysts that your bowling action has deteriorated over the years due to playing too much cricket and the heavy workload put on you?

Ajmal: 
No I disagree with that assessment and to suggest it is totally wrong. These are the same analysts who were not so long ago saying that Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan are too old for international cricket and are now singing their praises. I don't believe that my action has deteriorated due to playing too much cricket and also to be fair I don't think I have been overburdened by any of my captains. I think these experts should realise that a cricketer cannot perform well in every match and if he cannot perform in some matches it's not down to too much cricket or too much work or pressure put on him by the respective captains. Of course there is pressure in international cricket and you want to perform at your best in every match but that's impossible.

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It must be quite disheartening to read and hear some comments hinting that you are a cheat?

Ajmal: My intent has always been to play cricket within the rules, in a positive way and in a way that I, my country, my team-mates and my fans can be proud of. The day that I feel I am not performing well enough or serving my country to an acceptable level, I will walk away from cricket with my head held high. I don’t want to leave Pakistan cricket in the same way that some of our former players left and after the way they were treated.

My intent has always been to leave cricket of my own accord and when I feel the time is right and not to be pushed aside by others. I’ve never had a selfish mentality where I feel I am playing cricket for myself, instead I have always thought that I am playing for my country and have always wanted to show Pakistan in a positive light rather than in a negative way.

Do you think the 15 degrees limit is too strict?

Ajmal:
 I think 99 per cent of bowlers these days would fail the 15 degree test for at least one or more of their deliveries. I also think that the technology being used in match situations to assess bowling actions is too strict. I think they should use the normal television cameras to assess our bowling actions, but instead what is being used are cameras that can virtually see the blood running though our bodies.

Also this shouldn’t just be about spinners, I’m surprised that some pace bowlers have not been reported for their bowling action being illegal. In particular there is one famous fast bowler who has a very suspect bouncer and I’m shocked that he has not been reported yet by the umpires.

Do you think the recent spate of reported actions will result in the death of the doosra?

Ajmal:
 No I don’t believe that will be the case. The doosra is an art and a weapon to use against batsmen. God willing when I am back playing international cricket, I will bowl the doosra with the same venom that I always have done. The doosra is part of my repertoire and a delivery that I intend to continue bowling in future.

Given the number of off-spinners reported by umpires, do you think off-spin bowling will ever be the same in future?

Ajmal:
 There’s a lot of pressure on off-spinners these days but the rules and scrutiny should not just apply to off-spinners. I would urge umpires and the authorities to look at the actions of pace bowlers also and not ignore what some fast bowlers are getting away with at the moment.

Having been an integral part of the Pakistan team in all formats in recent times, it must be really strange for you to be watching Pakistan in action and not to be part of the recent success in UAE?

Ajmal: 
Yes of course it’s very frustrating not being in the team at the moment and I’m one of those cricketers who always wants to do anything to play cricket for my country. It’s not easy to have to watch the matches on television and not to be out there with my team mates.

However, having said that, I am absolutely delighted seeing Pakistan play so well in UAE against Australia and New Zealand in the Test series. It’s been brilliant to watch Yasir Shah and Zulfiqar Babar come into the Pakistan team as my replacements and perform so well. I’m so happy for both of them and I hope they have long and successful careers for Pakistan.

This absence from cricket for you must also be difficult for your family, particularly your children who I know follow your career very closely?

Ajmal:
 Absolutely. My children keep asking me when am I going to play cricket again as they want to go to the stadium and watch me in action. I just say to them that someone has put some ice in my way and I’ve slipped, but that I’ll be back on my feet very soon and I say to them that I’m resting but will be back soon.

You must feel quite fortunate that you have Saqlain Mushtaq there to help you at this crucial time in your career?

Ajmal:
 He’s been a great help, both as a friend and with the technical aspects of my bowling action. He’s a cricketer I admired and a bowler who I modelled my bowling on and to have him around to support me and help me has been a huge boost.

Is next year’s World Cup a realistic target for you?

Ajmal:
 I’m targeting a comeback at the World Cup. All this effort with Saqlain Mushtaq and the work at Lahore and Loughborough is with the World Cup in mind and I’m hopeful and confident that my bowling action will be cleared ahead of this showpiece event.

However, if I don’t make the World Cup then my prayers and well-wishes will be with my Pakistani team mates. The Pakistan cricket team isn’t just about me and it’s not about individuals. If I’m not there in Australia and New Zealand my support will be with the Pakistan team and I’ll be cheering them on loudly.

What are the plans going forward in terms of re-tests on your bowling action?

Ajmal:
 I’m in England for another week working with Saqlain Mushtaq on a couple of technical points to do with my bowling action, particularly the doosra. I feel that with the implementation of these additional technical modifications all of my deliveries will be under the 15 degrees limit. Next week, we intend to have another private test on my bowling action to ensure that all of my deliveries are below the 15 degrees limit.

Following on from the private tests and most probably next month we’ll go for tests with the ICC and hopefully be cleared for a return to cricket. 

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