I think there is big problem with Saeed Ajmal's bowling in ODI's and T20's. But in this thread I am only going to talk about ODI's. Whether he is to blame or our captain is to blame for it is for you to decide but the problem is a big one for us.

Saeed Ajmal has a very good overall bowling average, strike rates, economy rates in ODI's and that's why he is ranked so highly in lists.

But I think it will really help us more if Saeed Ajmal's was higher and he took better wickets. Yes, better wickets!!!
By better wickets, I mean he has to strike at more crucial times. He is taking so many wickets because he is bowling in the batting PP and the last overs. I am not saying that's easy, he is doing a tremendous job there. But a spinner's main role is to dent the opposition in the midle overs. 

Taking wickets between overs 10 to 30 will affect the target of the opposition by much more than taking wickets in the last 15.

For example, in the recently concluded series, Ajmal took 8 wickets at 26 but he took just one wicket before the 34th over in the whole seriesand that is the first one in the first ODI when he had Graeme Smith.

Saeed Ajmal in India: 3 ODI's 8 wickets at 10.75.
First ODI: No wicket
Second ODI: 3 wickets, all tail enders, all after the 39th over.
Third ODI: 5 wickets, 1 batsman, 4 tail enders. 2 in the 29th over, and the rest after the 35th overs.

Again, I am not denying his big contribution to our ODI team but still he will be much better if he can wickets earlier in the innings. And I also admit, for that to happen he has to be bowled before.

Discuss!