‘Can’t understand why Sachin wasn’t given out’
KARACHI: More than five years may have passed but Pakistan’s top off-spinner Sajeed Ajmal still can’t “understand” how Sachin Tendulkar was adjudged not out when he was rapped on the pad by him during the 2011 World Cup semi-final.
The 40-year-old Ajmal retired from all cricket after Faislabad lost to Lahore in the National T20 Championship on Wednesday.
Tendulkar, who top-scored with 85 in that game against Pakistan at Mohali, at times struggled to pick Ajmal’s variations.
It was Ajmal who finally dismissed Tendulkar. “I was totally convinced I had him in front of the stumps but how the umpires didn’t give him out I still can’t understand,” Ajmal said.
He admitted that bowling to Indian batsmen spurred him on. “It was a test of skills and nerves when bowling to Tendulkar and company.”
Ajmal said he was bringing the curtains down on his cricket career with a “heavy heart” and criticised the International Cricket Council’s protocol to assess bowling actions.
After a successful but controversial career, Ajmal finished with 178 wickets in 35 Tests, the last of which was at Galle in Sri Lanka in 2014, where his bowling action was reported for a second time. His action was first reported during an ODI series against Australia in the UAE in 2009.
His time in the limelight was cut short following a temporary ban for chucking. He returned to the sport in 2015 with a remodelled action but without much success.
“I am retiring today and at 40 years of age I thought it is now time for me to make way for younger players. I got this feeling I was being considered extra baggage even in domestic teams and I didn’t want to go out losing my respect,” Ajmal said.
“I am retiring with a heavy heart because I think the ICC’s protocol is too harsh and if all bowlers playing international cricket are tested I am sure at least 90 per cent will fail to clear this protocol,” Ajmal said.