Dubai: Pakistan spin wizard Saeed Ajmal will be turning out for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League with the aim of making a comeback to the Pakistan team.
Ajmal has not played for Pakistan since April last year and had also gone through a tumultuous phase in his career following the International Cricket Council’s verdict on his bowling action.
In an exclusive interview to Gulf News, he revealed that he has worked hard and will be back soon. “Your will see a different Saeed Ajmal,” he declared expressing his eagerness to produce top performances in the PSL.
“I am really enjoying being here and be playing in Pakistan’s first such a kind of league. The conditions here are very good for spinners and I know how good spin will be for my team. If I can perform well here, then there is a good chance for me to return back to the Pakistan team,” he said.
Dubai and Sharjah wickets have been Ajmal’s favourite hunting grounds. When asked about how it would be to bowl again on those wickets during the PSL, he replied: “I am so happy to be back here because I have got a lot of wickets in international matches. So I know this is the right place for a comeback. I am very focused and you will see a different Saeed Ajmal,” he remarked.
Ajmal candidly admitted that he did go through a tough time. “To keep away from international cricket was tough. It was disappointing not to be playing but I kept working hard. I never gave up hope. I will keep working hard whatever it may because, always, I have been a hard worker. By grace of Almighty, I will get my chance again but till then I will do my best in whatever chance I get,” said Ajmal, who is just 15 wickets short of 100 wickets in Twenty20 internationals and 16 wickets short of 200 wickets in One Day Internationals. He also has 178 wickets to his name in Test matches.
Ajmal revealed that, like all other players in the PSL, he too is looking to learn new things. “The PSL is a big opportunity for not only me but also others. There are some great coaches in different teams and every Pakistan domestic player is also going to be benefitted playing with the great players in different teams,” he said before walking away to discuss more about his bowling with Wasim Akram, the mentor or his team, and his team coach Dean Jones.
