Lahore: Pakistan`s former cricketers have reacted sharply to reports that the Indian team had questioned Saeed Ajmal`s bowling action, saying it is a ploy to "upset" the off-spinner`s rhythm. Former captain, Javed Miandad said he saw the reports about Ajmal`s action as nothing but a ploy to upset the spinner.
"It is simple and pure they want to upset him and distract him. Because he is troubling their batsmen and he has now got (Sachin) Tendulkar out twice, in the World Cup and last night," Miandad said.
Ajmal`s action generated a fresh controversy on Monday after senior Indian players reportedly questioned the legality of his deliveries even as the ICC defended the bowler, saying his action was well within the allowed degree of tolerance.
Former Pakistan batsman, Basit Ali said the Indians were resorting to below-the-belt tactics to disturb Ajmal.
"It is unfair to raise such stories and controversies when the ICC match officials find absolutely no problems with his action. It is just not cricket," he said.
Another ex-Test captain, Moin Khan said the Pakistan team must not pay attention to the reports about Ajmal.
"The pressure is not on Pakistan as it is already in the final... the pressure is on India as they have to wait for the outcome of the Bangladesh and Sri Lanka match. So they are trying to now create problems for the Pakistan team," he said.
Senior PCB officials when contacted for their take on the issue raised after yesterday`s Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan, declined to make any comments.
"I don`t think we need to say anything because the ICC chief executive, Haroon Lorgat has made the ICC stance on the issue very clear and made it clear no report or complaint has been made about Saeed`s bowling action to them," an official said.
"The bottom-line is that we go by ICC rules and regulations and so far neither the umpires nor the match referee has filed any sort of report about Saeed`s action and he is free to play on," the official added. Manager Naved Cheema told a Pakistani channel that the team was not bothered by the reports in the media.
"We had the same situation when we beat England in the Test series but while everyone is entitled to their personal opinion we go by what the ICC and its match officials have to say and so far no one has reported Saeed`s action," he said.
PTI
First Published: Monday, March 19, 2012, 22:44