Saeed Ajmal’s bowling action in controversy again

Concerns have been raised in Sri Lanka over the bowling action of Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal after the first Test in Galle last week.

A Sri Lankan cricket writer said Saeed Ajmal’s deliveries go beyond the permissible limit of 15 degree © Getty Images

Colombo: Jul 3, 2012

 

Concerns have been raised in Sri Lanka over the bowling action of Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal after the first Test in Galle last week.

 

A former Sri Lankan cricketer pointed out that despite having a questionable action, no one was talking about Ajmal’s action.

 

“Ajmal is getting away with blue murder and nobody’s taking any action,” an unnamed Sri Lankan player was quoted as saying in The Nation.

 

“Ajmal has never been known to bowl in short sleeves either at practice or in a match, which has raised doubts whether he is actually bending his arm. He wears short sleeves only when he is batting,” he added.

 

Sri Lankan cricketers had previously also raised doubts over the spinner’s action in the series played last November in the UAE.

 

On both the occasions the match referee was the former Australian opener David Boon.

 

According to Sri Lankan cricket writer, Saadi Thawfeek, some of Ajmal’s deliveries go beyond the permissible limit of 15 degree.

 

“It is not that all the balls bowled by Ajmal are questionable but a couple of them in an over especially the top spinner, which Sri Lanka believes goes beyond the permitted 15 degree angle,” Thawfeek wrote in this week’s The Nation. 

 

Ajmal took seven wickets in the first Test at Galle that Sri Lanka won by 209 runs. (PTI)

About the Author