Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal, regarded as one of the best Pakistani bowlers of all time, troubled greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, Ricky Ponting and many more with his lethal spin bowling. During his short international career from the year 2009 to 2014, off-spinner Ajmal picked 447 wickets in 212 matches. He even achieved the world number-1 position in ODI and T20 rankings. One of key highlights of Saeed's international career was him bagging 12 wickets in Pakistan's 2009 T20 World Cup-winning triumph, making him the second-highest wicket-taker for his team in the T20 tournament after pacer Umar Gul.
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Saeed Ajmal never played for Pakistan cricket team after 2015 as he was banned by the ICC due to suspected bowling action. Ajmal's elbow bent more than 15 degrees while releasing the ball, which is more than the limit set by the ICC. The last time Ajmal featured in an international game for Pakistan was in April 2015 against Bangladesh.
Saeed Ajmal slams Pakistan Cricket Board
Pakistan's former go-to bowler Saeed Ajmal recently criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over many issues during an interview on the Nadir Ali podcast. Ajmal said PCB announced a cheque of 25 lakh PKR to each player as a reward after winning the 2009 T20 World Cup but the amount was never credited to the players' bank accounts.
"Our cheques were dishonored after winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2009. We got the check but no money. Yusuf Raza Gilani was Sahab. Check bounced. It was a check of 25 lakhs," Saeed said on the Nadir Ali podcast.
Ajmal was further asked whether he received any prize money for being the number one bowler in the world to which he replied, "I didn't get any prize money for being the world number 1 bowler. Also, in 2012 and 2013, I was in the ICC ODI Team of the Year, I was there for two years. This is a team of the best players in the world. My name has appeared there twice, but financially I did not get anything. ICC rewards you. Simply, it comes near your name. But I think this is more than enough."