In his latest blog on PakPassion.net, former Pakistan batsman and current television commentator and analyst, Mohammad Wasim writes about how fatigue and pressure on Saeed Ajmal may have been contributing factors to his current predicament and why a six month break from cricket could be the solution to this issue.

By Mohammad Wasim (5th October, 2014)

Saeed Ajmal played for several years under my captaincy at Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) so I can safely say I know him well. We shared a dressing room together for many years and had a lot of good times and low points in domestic cricket. That's why I think I am in a good position to give my view on what is happening with Saeed these days.

For sure its a major setback for the Pakistan cricket team that Saeed Ajmal is missing series whilst he's suspended, as time and again he has proved that he is the backbone and main strike bowler over the years for them.

You will recall that during last year's Test series in UAE against Sri Lanka in my pre and post match shows I kept saying we are using Saeed too much. That time I kept referring to the fatigue factor and Saeed not finishing his action and that he will get tired and won't be effective anymore. Now that's exactly what was happened and what I was afraid of. I felt at the time that this was heading in the wrong direction and unfortunately my worst fears were confirmed.

If I had spoken out back then I would have been blasted by fans and media that I am starting a controversial theory against our own top bowler. However we should have considered many things when using Saeed so much with the ball - his age, the lack of rest, conditions and his bowling action. If he would have been taken care of properly and monitored then things would have been different now.

I can't remember the last time when Saeed missed a game in any format. That's not how you use your premier bowler! Plus how will you develop your back up bowlers if you don't give rest to your premier bowler against weaker sides or in some meaningless matches?

On top of that, Saeed has played all games under all the pressure in the world and that he has to win the game for Pakistan. Need wickets, give the ball to Saeed! Need to restrict the opposition, give the ball to Saeed! Power play, give the ball to Saeed! Death overs, again give the ball to Saeed! So many expectations from one guy and obviously he will try his best to deliver, despite a tired body, tired shoulder and mental fatigue ...but still there is no other option. The poor guy won't care about his action or any other outcome, he can't see himself bowling in any way but others can. Of course the elbow will bend more if the shoulder is tired and off course he will throw it if he cannot complete his action.

I always tried to use Ajmal sensibly in domestic matches when we played for the same team, as there were always rumours about his action even at that time. But I am pretty sure he was within the limits back then. Maybe Saeed can remember himself very well that I always told him don't listen to anyone, even the umpires, just bowl. But on the other hand I always gave him a rest when I felt he was getting tired and when he was losing his action.

The difference now compared to those days in his bowling is his pace. His off breaks were still pretty quick in the air but his doosra was much slower in the air. That's why his elbow and wrist were OK. I have taken many catches off his bowling in the slips because I could read his doosra from the slips. Nowadays he bowls too fast and bowls too many doosras which has affected his action.

They might try to modify his whole bowling action. If they do that, then for me he will lose his effectiveness and I think the best option is is to give Saeed a six month break from cricket. I am sure his body needs a rest. After a freshen up he can recall how he used to bowl when there was not so much pressure on him. He can come back, concentrate more on off spin and not on bowling so many doosras and not bowling so quickly in the air.

Right now none of his deliveries are within the limits but I am sure working on his action after a six month rest and using the doosra more sensibly will definitely improve his arm on the off break also.

Saeed Ajmal is a gem of a guy and a true fighter on the field. He has done wonders for Pakistan and we all wish he comes back stronger. We are all behind him and he is and will stay our hero regardless of what happens in the future.

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