Tabraiz Shamsi: “Saeed Ajmal was truly inspirational. I studied his bowling closely. His ability to spin the ball both ways was exceptional, and our styles are quite similar”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
South Africa spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has called legendary Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal “truly inspirational” due to his ability to “spin the ball both ways”.
Ajmal is widely regarded as one of the best mystery spinners Pakistan has ever produced and troubled batsmen all over the world with his diverse variety of deliveries.
The 47-year-old represented Pakistan in 35 Tests and took 178 wickets at an average of 28.10.
He also featured in 113 ODIs and picked up 184 wickets at an average of 22.72.
As for his T20I career, the Faisalabad native claimed 85 wickets in 64 matches at an average of 17.83.
In addition to Ajmal, Shamsi was also a big fan of former Australia spinner Brad Hogg.
“Saeed Ajmal was truly inspirational. I studied his bowling closely. His ability to spin the ball both ways was exceptional, and our styles are quite similar. I’ve also admired Brad Hogg’s bowling,” he told Cricket Pakistan.
Pakistan recently travelled to Australia for a white-ball series and won the ODI series 2-1 before getting crushed 3-0 in the T20Is.
They then went to Zimbabwe and triumphed 2-1 in both the ODI and T20I series.
Pakistan are now in South Africa and started off by losing the T20I series 2-0 before rebounding to claim a 3-0 win in the ODIs.
As for the ongoing two-Test series, the Proteas hold a 1-0 lead after securing a two-wicket win in the 1st Test in Centurion.
The 2nd Test will start on January 3 in Cape Town.
Pakistan Squad for South Africa T20I Series: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa ODI Series: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa Test Series: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan (wicketkeeper), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha
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