“I think he is pleased we stood by him”
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Worcestershire have expressed their confidence about the possibility of re-signing Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal.
The English county were initially hesitant about giving Ajmal a contract since his bowling action was illegal. However, since it was cleared just recently, Ajmal’s chances of playing in the upcoming county season have increased significantly.
Worcestershire will definitely want to re-sign Ajmal, especially after he took 63 wickets in nine County Championship matches at an incredible average of 16.47 to help them get promoted to Division One last season.
“We are very optimistic now that we can put to bed a deal,” Worcestershire’s director of cricket Steve Rhodes said. “I think he is pleased we stood by him and we are pleased now that he has passed his test that we stood by him.
“There are certain things that are a worry like, for example, the Bangladesh series suddenly cropping up a few weeks ago in the Future Tours Programme which wasn’t on the Future Tours Programme. If that goes ahead, that is six weeks at the start of the season which really takes Saeed into a series with Sri Lanka, which is now in the Future Tours Programme.
“If Bangladesh goes ahead, then he may not play until half-way through the season and then will see the season out with us hopefully as he is not going to the Caribbean Premier League now.
“There is a chance this Bangladesh series might not go ahead and I’m only saying that because both boards are discussing over whose series it is and money. We’ve just got to wait and see on that one. If it means Saeed is not with us for the first half of the year, then we will look elsewhere. We’ve got irons in the fire but, like Saeed at the moment, nothing concrete.”