LAHORE: The team management of the Pakistan cricket squad in Australia has turned down the proposal of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to include off-spinner Saeed Ajmal in the squad if he gets cleared by the ICC.

“We don’t need Ajmal even if he gets cleared by the ICC for his bowling action,” is the reply of the team management, a key PCB official told Dawn on the condition of anonymity.

The ICC report on Ajmal’s bowling action can be released at any time.

The PCB wanted the off-spinner’s induction as Pakistan faced problems with their bowling attack on their tour to New Zealand but the team management had other plans, the official said.

“The PCB expects the report of Ajmal at any time, but now it does not matter whether it is positive or negative as the team management has decided to play the World Cup without Ajmal, believing the team does not need him,” he added.

“Though Ajmal has already announced he is not ready to play the World Cup even if he clears the biomechanics test, he could have been included just to give a strong look to the bowling attack,” the official said.

Ajmal’s biomechanics test was conducted in Chennai, India on Jan 24.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2015

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