Pakistan cricket authorities have demanded the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) explain what disciplinary measures have been taken against Stuart Broad after he made a twitter jibe about the legitimacy of spinner Saeed Ajmal’s action.
Subhan Ahmed, chief operating officer of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said on Saturday a letter had been sent seeking information on the situation.
“These comments are distressing for Ajmal who is upset and wants the ECB to take action,” Ahmen told AFP.
Ajmal’s agent Umran Khan said he has also taken up the matter, requesting “clarification” on the issue in a formal letter to the cricket authorities of England and Wales.
As an England centrally-contracted player Broad can be penalised by the ECB if he is found to have made derogatory comments about his fellow professionals.
Pakistan spinner Ajmal currently plays for English county Worcestershire. He took 13 wickets in the Midlands side’s recent County Championship win over Essex, including a career-best seven for 19 in the second innings.
This prompted former England captain Michael Vaughan to ignite the row by posting on Twitter a still photograph of Ajmal bowling during the match. He added the caption: “You are allowed 15 degrees of flex in your delivery swing…. #justsaying.”
Broad, currently out with a knee injury, replied by commenting: “This has to be a fake photo?!”.
He then commented: “Bowlers can bowl very differently in a lab while being tested compared to needing wickets in the middle.”
Ajmal’s action — reported for being suspect in 2009 — has undergone extensive testing and been passed by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Regarded as one of the best spinners of modern times, the 36-year-old Ajmal has so far played 33 Tests, 110 one-day internationals and 63 Twenty20 matches.
He took 24 wickets in helping Pakistan rout then-world Test number one England 3-0 in their series in the United Arab Emirates in 2012.
ChrisT
Guest
There's a big difference between having a bad day and having an illegal one. Huge.
xavialonso
Guest
You can have bad days when bowling. Days when your back is crook, your joints aren't at full stretch and your action falls apart. Just ask Mitchell Johnson. Better yet ask Broad if him getting blasted by Yuvraj for six sixes doesn't constitute a bad day. My point is that Ajmal pic where his hand looks broken is just a one-off for hin. He has a good bowling action. This was just a bad day for him when he got his bowling action wrong and unfortunately got snapped doing it. So there is no need for an overreaction , esp from sooks like Broad and Vaughan who have never had a bad game in their careers and are the models of cricketing excellence.
Axle an the guru
Guest
There would not be an umpire in the world that will no ball a sub continent bowler for throwing. No one wants to retire the way Darrel Hair did. SACKED FOR DOING HIS JOB.
Beauty of a geek brains of a bimbo(atgm)
Guest
Ajmal,senanyke,kevon cooper all have an illegal action
AussieinNZ
Guest
Have a look at the new Sri Lankan off spinner in the one dayer against England. Post Murali there is no turning back for the ICC
AussieinNZ
Guest
Have a look at the new Sri Lankan off spinner in the one dayer against England. Post Murali there is no turning back for the ICC
learnyourfacts
Guest
yea it did look bad, Broad may be a knob but he is right, bowlers who know their action is illegal can tweak it while being tested
learnyourfacts
Guest
yea it did look bad, Broad may be a knob but he is right, bowlers who know their action is illegal can tweak while being tested
Beauty of a geek brains of a bimbo(atgm)
Guest
Saeed chuckmal!
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Who doesn't object to Broad? Probably be able to find bent arm Broady in still photos. Regardless of Ajmal action, Vaughan's a knob #tag just saying.
AlanKC
Guest
In the pic Vaughn tweeted, Ajmal's arm looks like he's broken it. I know the camera can tell porkies but jeez, it looks bad.