Worcestershire hope to sign spin ace Ajmal

Saturday, 21 January 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

London, (AFP): Worcestershire have agreed a short-term contract with Pakistan spinner

Saaed Ajmal for this year’s Twenty20 season but are awaiting final confirmation of the deal, county officials said Thursday.

Ajmal has been in superb form for Pakistan in the first Test against England in Dubai, capturing seven for 55 on Tuesday to leave Andrew Strauss’s men struggling to save the Test.

Worcestershire chief David Leatherdale said Thursday the county was confident of re-signing the talented spinner. “We have spoken to Saeed. We have put an offer on the table with him and his representative,” he said.

“The signs are that Saeed is very keen to come back and has verbally agreed terms with us for the Twenty20 in June and July. But we will take nothing for granted until the i’s have been dotted and the t’s have been crossed.”

Ajmal’s bowling action has been the subject of much debate this week, with former England bowler Bob Willis questioning its legality. But Leatherdale said Worcestershire had seen nothing in Ajmal’s action that gave cause for concern. “We have no complaints with the way he bowled for us last season,” he said. “We were very happy and comfortable with the way he bowled.”