Saeed Ajmal announces retirement from all forms of cricket

Ajmal has represented Pakistan in 35 Tests, 113 ODIs and 64 T20Is in which he has taken 178, 184, 85 wickets.

Frustrated for not getting a fair opportunity to represent his country after a reworked bowling action, Pakistan off spinner Saeed Ajmal has decided to retire from all forms of cricket on Monday at the end of the National T20 tournament in Rawalpindi.

Ajmal’s bowling action was first reported in 2014 and he was banned soon after. The off-spinner, who was once Pakistan’s most potent weapon, did make a comeback after a reworked bowling action but failure to replicate his earlier performances prompted the selectors to drop of him after a couple of ODIs.

“This national event is my last tournament and I don’t want to be a burden on any team,” said Ajmal during a match on Monday. “I am highly satisfied with my career although the last two years were frustrating. The process of dealing with bowlers of illegal action seemed to be only for me and (Mohammad) Hafeez because there are a number of bowlers who are still playing with faulty actions.

“But before anyone can raise a finger against my selection (in domestic matches), I want to leave and that’s my final decision.” Ajmal was quoted as saying by Wisden India.

Ajmal has represented Pakistan in 35 Tests, 113 ODIs and 64 T20Is in which he has taken 178, 184, 85 wickets.

His last match for Pakistan was a T20I against Bangladesh In 2015 in which he returned wicket-less. He was never considered for selection after that.

The 40 year-old was known for his deceptive ‘doosra’ developed on the Saqlain Mushtaq model, which troubled some of the best of cricketers around the world.

Ajmal also had his fair share of duels with Sachin Tendulkar. He received some flak for ridiculing Tendulkar before the 2011 World Cup semi final against India but leaving all this behind, Ajmal described his battle with Tendulkar as the most cherished one.

“Sachin was great and bowling against him was a big challenge and I enjoyed that,” he said.