Pakistan's out-of-favour spinner Saeed Ajmal has expressed his frustration over being repeatedly ignored by the national selectors and claimed that the entire idea behind the recent chucking drive was aimed to ban him.
"I just don't understand what they (the selectors) want me to do. If they don't want to select me they should give me a straight reply. They keep telling me, you need to perform in domestic cricket," Ajmal was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
The 39-year-old was the highest wicket-taker in last month's Pakistan domestic Twenty20 tournament, where he guided Karachi Blues to their maiden T20 title by notching up 20 wickets in nine matches, including two scalps in the final game, against Karachi Whites.
Ajmal, who is eager to represent Pakistan in T20 and ODIs, said that he doesn't understand as to why he is being continuously ignored despite fulfilling all the necessary requirements.
"I took 20 wickets in the T20 tournament in Multan. I was leading wicket-taker in the competition. Even in the domestic T20s in England last year (for Worcestershire) I was among the best bowlers of the tournament. I don't know why these performances are not being considered," Ajmal said.
"I don't have any fitness concerns either as I have played both the domestic T20 and 50-over tournaments this year. I am working very hard for a comeback," he added.
Ajmal was ranked as the number one bowler in ODIs and was also as impressive in Test cricket before being suspended for exceeding the 15-degree elbow flex limit set by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The spin maestro then underwent remedial work with Mushtaq and was cleared to bowl again in February last year. However, he played just one match since remodeling his action when he last turned up in Pakistan colours in a Twenty20 match against Bangladesh in April 2015.
"They told me I've got to prove my worth in domestic cricket. My performances in domestic cricket is in front of everyone, but still I am being neglected. Every bowler who had issues with his bowling action is back in the team. It is only me who is not being selected. It looks as if the whole idea behind the drive against chucking was to ban me," said Ajmal.
Pakistan's next ODI assignment is in January next year against Australia, for which Ajmal looks unlikely to make the cut.
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