Saeed Ajmal to miss opening Test against New Zealand
Pakistan’s off-spinner Saeed Ajmal may miss the opening Test against the hosts in Hamilton, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 because of the demise of his father.
The player flew back from New Zealand to Pakistan in order to attend the funeral of his father who passed away on Tuesday.
Speaking on the situation of Ajmal, a Pakistan Cricket Board official said, “He is devastated by the sudden death of his father who expired after being taken to hospital, complaining of fever in the cold weather.”
The PCB made all the arrangements for Ajmal’s quick return back home so that he could join his family in the hour of grieve.
Ajmal who has been phenomenal for Pakistan since he made his debut in 2009 was surely going to be in the playing eleven against New Zealand on Friday at the Hamilton cricket ground. However, now it seems that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 would go into the match without their
ace spinner.
Abdul Rehman, the left-arm spinner may be inducted in the squad but so far, the team management has not given any statements that would indicate his inclusion in the first Test.
Ajmal featured in Pakistan’s only warm-up match against New Zealand Cricket XI, which ended in a draw on Tuesday.
Pakistan had a poor start of the tour where the green shirts lost the three-match Twenty20 series against the Kiwis 1-2.
The team in the Twenty20’s was led by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972 would be leading the squad in the two Test matches and experts expect a better show by Pakistan under Misbah’s captaincy.
Ajmal’s absence may hurt Pakistan’s chances in the Test in Hamilton but the team needs to keep its focus on winning the match with the players available.
Ajmal has taken 33 wickets in 9 Tests that he has played for his team with an average of 39.72 and an economy rate of 2.86 per over. He would cause problems for the Kiwi batsmen as they have never been good players of spin bowling. It is expected he will
be available for selection for the second Test at http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wellington-c864.
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