Saeed Ajmal versus Graeme Swann
Two players who have made an impression on cricket fans around the world with their recent performances in the Edgbaston test are none other than the two off spinners Saeed Ajmal and Graeme Swann.
Even though Pakistan gave a very dismal performance in both their test matches against England, Saeed Ajmals individual performance deserved a round of applause. Graeme Swann, on the other hand has proved to be a very handy spinner for the English side, bowling beautifully and getting a great deal of spin, off the track.
Swann’s bowling figures speak volumes of the amount of talent and class this player has to offer to the English side. He has been disciplined, and a consistent performer especially when the English pace attack were finding it hard to make a breakthrough in the Pakistani side. He has bowled exceptionally well, with an absolute beauty that pitched a few inches outside the line of leg stump, to take out the off stump. It has been dubbed as the “ball of the century” by one English fan. The comment was made in reference to the ball bowled by Shane Warne in the 1993 Ashes to get Mike Gatting out.
Ajmal is a little bundle of joy to watch. His enthusiasm, and passion for the game is palpable on the field. He is a very competitive sportsman and an exceptionally good off spinner with a decent ‘doosra’. He has been coached by none other than the master of swing, Saqlain Mushtaq who is living in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Leicestershire-c807 these days.
The master of the doosra could ball with incredible ease, as he flicks his nimble fingers swiftly, giving the ball sufficient flight through the air, with elegant simplicity. Following in his footsteps, Ajmal has a lot to offer to the “bland” Pakistani team who are in dire need of shining stars like himself.
Ajmal is one such member of the Pakistani side who is emanating with positive energy on and off the field. In comparison to Englands Graeme Swann, it could be said that it is yet to come to the attention of the football world, exactly what sort of bowler Ajmal would turn out to be. Given that this is just the beginning of his career. He has a long way to go, and he can surely be the perfect replacement for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Saqlain-Mushtaq-c88743 that Pakistan had yearned for ever since ‘Saqi’s’ departure.
Graeme Swann is an absolutely wonderful sportsman to watch. When the English pace attack failed to make breakthrough’s and Haider and Ajmal had given them tough resistance. Swann emerged with a smile on his face and went on to achieve his best bowling figures ever, by taking 6 wickets for the first time in a test match.
“He's an old-fashioned spinner who tosses the ball up and his delivery to bowl Azhar Ali through the gate was another classic.” cited a BBC sports commentator Jonathan Agnew.
Unlike Shane Warne, Swann and Ajmal are finger spinners who focus on simplicity when it comes to delivering stunning bowls, that leave cricketing fans in utter disbelief. Spin bowling is an art requiring accuracy, speed and flight. The greater the amount of turn generated by the fingers, the more the spin. It is due to the attacking nature of Swann’s bowling that England has been able to play four bowlers in a test match. Before, when the English side used to play Ashley Giles, he was used as a holding bowler who was not expected to attack the batsman but rather to contain the strike rate. In comparison, Swann is in a completely different league altogether.
As for Saeed Ajmal, he has ensured himself a permanent spot in the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Danish-Kaneria-c1314. With his bowling and a resilient display of batting for the Pakistani side in the second test it could safely be said that Saeed Ajmal and Zulqarnain were the only bright spots for Pakistan in an otherwise disappointing display of cricket. “With Murali gone there is no other bowler with a deadlier doosra.” Observed the Guardian.
Graeme Swann and Saeed Ajmal both have proven to be classy spinners, yet it will be unfair to compare the two, since each belong to a league of their own. However, something they have in common is that they have most certainly provided their respective teams with a lot of ammunition that could come in handy when they play against the best teams of the world.
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