'Mujhe bas ek match khilaaya...' - Former Pakistan cricketer recounts sad end to his distinguished career

Pakistan T20 Team (Source: Twitter)

Saeed Ajmal has made a name for himself in international cricket due to his quick and unorthodox action. He picked up 85 wickets in T20 cricket at an average of 17.83 and a strike rate of 16.8. He had a superb economy rate of 6.36. He has been one of the most famous spinners in the Pakistan cricket circuit.

Now, the former ace spinner has made a startling revelation and he has said that his career ended on a very sad note. In a startling claim made by Ajmal, he said that the chairman at the time did not want him to play for Pakistan even after he had proved his worth in the domestic circuit.

“Jab main (action) remodel karke aaya, mujhe bas ek match khilaaya. Mujhe Inzy bhai ne kaha ki domestic me perform karo. Maine kaha agar mujhe domestic me perform karna hai, then main kyun khelu? Mera ek naam hai, reputation hai. Vo bolein, nai, karein. Main khela Karachi ke liye. (When I returned after remodelling my action, I played only one match. Inzy bhai asked me to perform in domestic cricket. I said, I've made my reputation and yet they want me to prove myself? Inzy bhai said yes, you have to. I played for Karachi then),” Ajmal said on the Ultra Edge podcast.

I retired once I realised I can't play anymore for Pakistan - Saeed Ajmal

"Karachi had never won a T20 competition. I took 20 wickets in that competition and we won the championship trophy for Karachi. Maine call ki Inzy bhai ko, unhone kaha ki chairman sahab nahi chah rahe ki aap khelein. Maine kaha theek hai, main vaapis aa gaya. First-class me 4-5 matches khela, dobara T20 competitions aaya aur usme main second-highest wicket-taker tha. (Karachi had never won the T20 competition. I called Inzy bhai again but he said that the chairman doesn't want me to play. I went back to domestic cricket and performed in the T20 competition again).

“Maine pucha ki is there any chance I can play for Pakistan again? They said no. Maine kaha ki main retirement le raha hu. Thank you very much for your support. (I asked again, is there any chance for me to play for Pakistan again? They said no. Then, I decided to retire),” said Ajmal.