LAHORE: Legendary off-spinner Saeed Ajmal couldn't hold back his tears on Wednesday when he announced that he would no longer play for Pakistan in any format of the game.
In the video, you can see the Pakistani bowling great breaking down as he thanks his parents, wife and PCB for helping him along his journey to superstardom.
Saeed Ajmal was one of the most deadly spin bowlers for Pakistan who nabbed 178 wickets in 35 Tests. The last Test match that he played was against Sri Lanka in 2014. It was there that his bowling action was reported for the second time, earlier it had been called into suspicion by ICC in 2009.
Ajmal said on Wednesday during the presser that he had resigned to make way for new players since he felt like 'extra baggage' at the moment.
"I am retiring today and at 40 years of age I thought it is now time for me to make way for younger players. I got this feeling I was being considered extra baggage even in domestic teams and I didn't want to go out losing my respect," he said.
He blamed the ICC for having too harsh standards and said that if the same criteria was imposed on all cricketers then the majority would also be suspended.
"I am retiring with a heavy heart because firstly I think the ICC's protocol is too harsh and if all bowlers today playing international cricket are tested I am sure at least 90 percent will fail to clear this protocol," he said.
He retired after leading Faisalabad in the National T20 Cup.
Published in Sports
Story first published: 30th November 2017
