Saeed Ajmal aims to be back before 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup

Ace Pakistan spinner, Saeed Ajmal, who is currently working on his bowling action after being suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC), says he has been left puzzled by the lack of consistency in the test results.

The Pakistan off-spinner was suspended from bowling in international cricket after biomechanic tests at the Brisbane lab, one of the newest ICC accredited centres, reported that the bowler was flexing his arm by more than 15 degrees, the maximum possible tolerance limit prescribed by the ICC.

Speaking to Pakpassion.net, Ajmal said he was left surprised and confused with the results that seemed to differ with every test of his bowling action. "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.

"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% accurate, as careers are at stake and any slight error could be catastrophic for a cricketer," Ajmal said.

The off-spinner was also worried about all the markers placed on his body during the testing process. He reckoned that the movement of the markers during his bowling action tended to have an effect on the final readings. "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," he noted.

Ajmal also refuted reports that he had made changes to his bowling action but said he had made some minor tweaks to his style. "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," he said.

Ajmal has been working with legendary Pakistan off-spinner, Saqlain Mushtaq, who has been guiding him on the technical aspects of bowling. "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," Ajmal said with gratitude.

Ajmal also confirmed that he will continue working with Saqlain Mushtaq for another week in England as he looks to tweak his doosra, which, according to him, is the only variation that is still going well over the 15 degree tolerance limit. "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," Ajmal said.

"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," he added.

Ajmal was pleased with the statement of Dr. King, the biomechanist at Loughborough, one of the newest ICC accredited testing centre, who felt there was 'substantial improvement' in his bowling action. Ajmal had previously undergone a private test on his bowling action under Dr. King's guidance. "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," Ajmal reasoned.

Without sounding bitter, Ajmal felt the 15 degree tolerance limit was extremely harsh on the bowlers and reckoned that 99% of the bowlers these days would fail the test for at least one or more deliveries. "I think 99% 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," he said.

"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," Ajmal added.

With the doosra identified as the main reason for chucking, there is a theory that one of the off-spinner's biggest weapon is on its way out. Ajmal though doesn't think so. "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," he noted.

Ajmal was delighted at Pakistan's excellent recent form, particularly in the longer format of the game, and the quality of the young bowlers coming through. They beat Australia by a 2-0 margin and are currently leading New Zealand 1-0 with one Test to play. "I am absolutely delighted seeing Pakistan play so well in UAE against Australia and New Zealand in the Test series. Its 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," he said.

Asked about his future plans, Ajmal retorted that his aim was to get his action cleared before the upcoming 2015 World Cup, to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. "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 show-piece event," Ajmal signed off.