New Delhi: Having been cleared by ICC after correcting bowling action, Saeed Ajmal, the best spinner of the world till he was banned for illegal action few months ago, the most intriguing question being asked is can he make it in to Pakistan squad?
What goes in Ajmal's favor is all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, also banned from bowling because of suspect action, ouster due to injury.
Hafeez and Ajmal compliment each other well and now that Hafeez is out, Pakistan might fast track him in the squad to strengthen its weak bowling line up.
‘There are a lot of ifs and buts because he hasn't played any cricket but let's see how things go in the next week,' said Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq.
‘He's been bowling a lot of deliveries in the nets every day but we haven't sat down and talked about it yet. Let's see what he has to do.'
It remains to be seen whether Saeed, at 37, can be as effective with a remodelled action and being under constant scrutiny from umpires who would be allowed to call or report him if they felt he transgressed again.
But the possibility of his call-up is intriguing. Without Ajmal and Hafeez they are short of quality spin and there is no doubt that he would strengthen a side looking to repeat their World Cup win in Australia 23 years ago.
‘The major concern for us and him is his lack of competitive cricket for the last five or six months,' said Misbah here in Sydney ahead of this week's World Cup warm-up games. ‘It's a tough decision.'
For now Shahid Afridi, better known for his explosive hitting, will have to step up as Pakistan's main spinner in his fifth World Cup, a challenge he is relishing.
‘For the last few years myself, Saeed and Ajmal have done well as a bowling unit and the pressure will be on me now because the other two are not with me,' said Afridi, who will face England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
‘But I'm enjoying my bowling. I have played a lot of cricket for Pakistan but I have a big responsibility in this tournament as a senior player. This is not the time to give up. This is the time to give something to my country.'
