KARACHI: Loughborough University has endorsed Saeed Ajmal on his off-spinners and faster balls but his ‘doosra’ delivery remains an issue, says Pakistan’s National Cricket Academy head coach Mohammad Akram.

“Ajmal worked so hard to reduce the flex. The latest test in the biomechanics lab [conducted on Monday] revealed that he has started bowling within the ICC’s 15-degree limit. His conventional off-spin and faster deliveries are very well bowled within the limit now, that’s the good news,” Akram said.

This was the second unofficial testing done by the university and if Ajmal — reported in August this year after the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle — clears the third one sometime soon as regards his off-spinners and faster balls, he will be allowed to play in Pakistan’s domestic cricket.

After he spends enough time there, the PCB will ask the International Cricket Council to reassess his action.

Ajmal has been reported twice for a suspect bowling action. The first time in 2009, he had been cleared after the PCB’s successful reasoning with the ICC that the change in his action was the result of a medical condition he had developed after an accident, hampering the movement of his elbow.

“No doubt he is a true fighter. Despite his medical history, he has achieved a significant result in reducing the flex in his elbow,” Akram said. “But at the same time I would like to request the ICC to give him benefit of doubt as his chronic injuries forced him to bowl [differently], with the wrist collapsing and shoulder dislocating. This is something which is exceptional in his case.

“It is very hard to clear tests under new ICC protocols, with 3D software. Some of the very clean-looking actions via the naked eye can be questioned. There should be a benefit of doubt in testing protocol, and consideration for the exceptional cases,” Akram stated.

Published in Dawn, November 27th , 2014