ICC says no leniency granted to Saeed Ajmal

DUBAI: Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal reopened a controversy about his bowling action, by claiming special International Cricket Council leniency allowing him to straighten his arm beyond 15 degrees, which was quickly rebutted by the game’s world body. Ajmal, who took 24 wickets in the 3-0 Test series whitewash of England, claimed during an in interview that as of an old accident which means he cannot straighten his arm properly – extra leniency, up to 23.5 degrees, has been granted to him by ICC. An ICC spokesman has denied any special case has been made for Ajmal, confirming there are no exceptions to the world governing body’s 15-degree rule. Ajmal’s doosra caused particular alarm with some pundits – including former England captain...

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Afridi, Azam in Pakistan one-day, T20 squad

KARACHI: Pakistan on Tuesday included all rounders Shahid Afridi and Hammad Azam in its one-day and Twenty20 squads for the rest of this month’s series against England in United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, Azhar Ali has been rewarded for his brilliant batting in Pakistan’s test series sweep against England with a place in the middle order of Pakistan’s the one-day squad. Ali has played just one limited-overs international —against Ireland last year —but earned the selectors attention after scoring a career-best 157 in Pakistan’s 71-run third-test win on Monday. Opener Taufiq Umar will return home after the three-Test series which Pakistan won 3-0. The first of four one-day matches will be played in Abu Dhabi on February 13....

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