Ajmal action ‘not a worry’ for Pakistan

Captain Misbah-ul-Haq plays down concerns about off-spinner’s suspect action ahead of second Test against Sri Lanka.

Ajmal was first reported for a suspect action in 2009 before cleared by the ICC [REUTERS]

Pakistan are not worried about Saeed Ajmal’s reporting for a suspect bowling action and are confident that the ace off-spinner will be cleared, captain Misbah-ul-Haq said.

Match officials reported Ajmal to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a suspect bowling action following the first Test defeat by Sri Lanka in Galle but is permitted to bowl until his bowling is scrutinised further.

The 36-year-old, who has taken 174 wickets in 34 Tests at an average of 27.79, was also reported for the same offence in 2009 but was later cleared by the ICC.

“As far as the main bowler Ajmal is concerned, it has been done before and that’s not a worry for us,” Misbah told reporters on the eve of the second Test in Colombo. “He’s been through this process before and I hope he will be fine. We will just concentrate on our game and look forward to playing good cricket and try to win this Test.”

Misbah blamed the lack of consistency from his side for their seven-wicket loss at Galle.

“We played well in patches. On and off we performed well and we lacked consistency and could not win every session,” the 40-year-old said. “We want to make sure in this Test it doesn’t happen with our batting and back ourselves with good bowling and fielding. We have to improve in all departments.”

Sangakkara scored his tenth double hundred in Sri Lanka’s first-innings to move second to Don Bradman in the all-time list of test double centuries.

Source: Reuters