Pakistan's former leg-spinner Abdul Qadir has lashed out at the PCB authorities and team management for not utilising off-spinner Saeed Ajmal in the World Cup once his bowling action was cleared by the ICC.
"We lost today because we didn't have Saeed. If he had played even with his new action I am sure India would not have scored 300," Qadir told PTI.
The former great said that the team management and board had blundered by not selecting Ajmal when Muhammad Hafeez was injured.
"What purpose was served by sending an out of form Nasir Jamshed he was not even played today in such a crucial match. Saeed is a great bowler and it was worthwhile taking a gamble on him," Qadir said.
"I am sure his presence would have added pressure on the Indian team and given his vast experience I am confident he can adjust quickly and be effective in international cricket with his new modified action," said Qadir.
But Ajmal reiterated on a news channel that while it was frustrating for him to sit and watch Pakistan lose yet again to India in a World Cup match, he needed time to get used to his new bowling action.
"Look if an emergency arises I am always available for my country but initially I had told the board that I wanted to work more on my action and I didn't want to go and let my team down," Ajmal said.
The champion off-spinner said he was confident he can be as effective with his new action.
"But whether I go to the World Cup is not my decision now," he noted.
He conceded that it was a mistake that no successor to him was groomed in the last few years.
"I myself was in favour of getting ready another off-spinner and giving him exposure from time to time."
Pakistan's former Test pacer Sarfaraz Nawaz was blunt in his criticism of the board and team management.
"Does the board chairman need to take approval from the team management to send Saeed to Australia. Do you think we can win with this bowling attack. Saeed is too experienced a bowler even now to be ignored."
Ajmal has signed a lucrative contract with a private news channel to appear as a pundit during the World Cup.
