Ajmal sparks new debate over his bowling action

Dubai: Pakistan offspinner Saeed Ajmal has added to the debate over his bowling action by claiming that the International Cricket Council (ICC) allowed him to bend his arm beyond the permitted 15 degrees. “ICC allowed me to bowl 23.5 degrees because my arm is not good, because of an accident,” Ajmal told the BBC. Ajmal was cleared by the ICC in 2009 after he was reported for a suspect bowling action. Bowlers are not allowed to bend their arm beyond a 15 degree limit. [caption id=“attachment_206423” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“The offspinner has claimed that the ICCl allowed him to bend his arm beyond the permitted 15 degrees. Reuters”] [/caption] Ajmal was named man-of-the-series after he took 24 wickets in Pakistan’s 3-0 defeat of England in the test series that ended on Monday. Former England fast bowler Bob Willis has also questioned Ajmal’s “doosra,” a delivery that spins away from a right-handed batsman. An ICC spokesman said that the game’s governing body was looking into Ajmal’s comments and will make a formal announcement soon. England coach Andy Flower added that granting Ajmal extra leniency would be problematic. “That’s ridiculous,” Flower said. “That is an ICC issue, though. They are there to police the game, and make sure that it is played within the rules — so they’ve got to scrutinize his action.” AP