We will miss Saeed Ajmal, says Pakistan T20 captain Shahid Afridi
Pakistan Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi has said that his team will hugely miss the presence of Saeed Ajmal during their T20 international match against Australia in Dubai on Sunday. Ajmal is currently suspended from international cricket for bowling with an illegal action by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last month.
The off-spinner can now resume playing only after he is cleared by the governing body. He is undergoing remedial work on his action at the moment and can inform the ICC that he is ready for reassessment as and when he wishes.
Ajmal has been an integral part of the Pakistan team ever since his entry into international cricket in 2008 and has been their go-to bowler in all conditions and in all formats.
"We all know the importance of Ajmal and we will miss him," Afridi told reporters after the team's practice session on Thursday.
Raza Hasan to replace
The 22-year-old left-arm spinner Raza Hasan, who took all six of his wickets so far in the 2012 World T20 in Sri Lanka, has been included in the squad to try and fill in for Ajmal, and Afridi hopes that he can come good.
"I am very confident that Hasan has played cricket before and has done well," said Afridi.
Afridi, who is a very experienced bowler himself having taken 77 T20l wickets till date, added that the onus will be on him and Mohammad Hafeez, another experienced bowler, to bowl the critical overs and make major breakthroughs during the upcoming series.
"(Mohammad) Hafeez and I will be there and as captain when I look at my bowling, definitely miss Ajmal, but I am very confident that we will have no issues," said Afridi.
The 34-year-old, who was appointed last month as Pakistan’s T20 captain until the 2016 World T20, is expecting an all-round effort from his team this weekend.
"Both teams are balanced so it will be a good game. All the players have played cricket, this type of cricket you need youngsters and I am confident as a player, they will deliver," said Afridi.
"You win or lose but I think all-out effort should be there. Every series is very important and if we win the body language will be better."