Saeed Ajmal calls it quits from all forms of cricket

One of the biggest matchwinners produced by Pakistan cricket, mystery spinner Saeed Ajmal has decided to retire from all forms of cricket post the ongoing National Twenty20 tournament in Rawalpindi. The career graph of Ajmal is basically dissected into two halves, i.e., before and after his action being deemed illegal.

His action was suspected illegal back in 2014. Despite corrective measures taken along with assistance from Saqlain Mushtaq, Ajmal lost his capacity for picking up wickets. Ajmal, who recently turned 40, frustrated with his disappointments, finally called it quits from competitive cricket.

It was only recently announced that Ajmal would feature in the Islamabad United camp playing the role of spin bowling coach. In the 35 Tests he has represented for Pakistan, Ajmal clinched as many as 178 wickets with ten 5-wicket haul and four 10-wicket hauls in a match. The last of which he played back in 2014 against Sri Lanka at Colombo.

I don’t want to be a burden on any team: Ajmal

He was also a potent weapon for Pakistan in limited overs cricket. In the 113 ODIs he played, Ajmal has 184 wickets to his name at an average of 22.72 and an enviable economy of 4.18. The last time Ajmal wore the greens for Pakistan was back in 2015 during the post World Cup tour to Bangladesh before Yasir Shah took over the spin department.

“This national event is my last tournament and I don’t want to be a burden on any team. The last phase was frustrating. But before anyone can raise a finger against my selection (in domestic matches), I want to leave and that’s my final decision,” stated Saeed Ajmal according to Wisden India.

However, the highlight of Ajmal’s career would be during the England series in UAE back in 2012 where he clinched a whopping 24-wickets to whitewash the then number one side in the world. He also represented various T20 sides such as Antigua Hawksbills, Dhaka Gladiators, Faisalabad Wolves and Islamabad United.