Pakistani off-spinner Saeed Ajmal brushed aside suspicions over his bowling action after wrecking England with career-best figures of 7-55 on the opening day of the first Test here on Tuesday. The 34-year-old, whose claims to unveil a mystery delivery he called teesra (the third one) surrounded the build-up of the three-Test series, helped Pakistan bundle out England for 192 on a slow turning pitch at Dubai Stadium. Pakistan finished the day on 42-0, trailing by 150 runs.
Former England paceman Bob Willis raised suspicions over Ajmal’s action.
“The off-spinner is fairly orthodox. The delivery that I have a problem with is the doosra (second one),” Willis, referring to Ajmal’s delivery which turns the other way than the normal off-spin, while commentating on Sky Sports in England.
“The ICC have accommodated this delivery – they changed the rules to allow these bowlers to bend their elbow 15 degrees which is what makes it so difficult for the batsmen,” said Willis.