Pears Sign Ajmal For Friends Life t20

9 February 2012

Saeed Ajmal was in exceptional form in the UAE.

©REUTERS/Philip Brown. Picture Supplied by Action Images

Worcestershire have signed Pakistani off-spinner Saeed Ajmal for their Friends Life t20 campaign. He completes the Pears’ overseas signings for 2012 following their capture of Australian batsman Phil Hughes on a season-long deal.

Ajmal took 44 wickets at an average of 18.43 during his brief spell at Worcester last season and their Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes made no secret of the fact that he would like the 34 year-old to return to the County Ground, although he had admitted that Ajmal’s international commitments would make a prolonged spell difficult.

To that end he expressed himself delighted with today’s news, saying, "Saeed showed last summer what a quality bowler he is. His recent performances against England (he took 24 wickets at an average of 14.71 from three matches) only go to back this up and we are delighted that he has agreed to return to New Road for a second time."

Ajmal commented "I really enjoyed my time at New Road in 2011 and look forward to returning this summer to help inspire the club to Friends Life t20 success."

Since leaving New Road last season, Ajmal has been thrust into the spotlight following his bamboozling of England’s batsmen in the UAE; with some commentators questioning the Faisalabad man’s bowling action. However, Rhodes has been quick to defend his man against those criticisms and said recently, “From my point of view, having worked with Ajmal last summer, I have no problem with his action at all. The reason people question his action is because they are envious of what he can do. Different things happen when he bowls and because his action is unusual people suspect that something is wrong.”

In other news from the county circuit, Leicestershire CCC have confirmed that they have appointed former county wicket-keeper Paul Nixon as a club ambassador. It is understood that the 40 year-old will be involved with the commercial, rather than coaching, side of the club.

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