LAHORE – Pakistan’s premier off-spinner Saeed Ajmal eagerly waiting for much-awaited India series as it will be a challenging tour for him to bowl to the Indian batsmen who play spin better than other players of the world in their own backyard.
Saeed Ajmal started international career late and played just played one match against India in the 2011 World Cup semi-final held in Mohali and expressed his desire of playing a full series against neighbouring country.
"I started my international career late and I have got a chance to play just one match against India in their own backyard the 2011 World Cup semi final at Mohali," Ajmal said.  "That is why I am eagerly looking forward to this tour as it will be a challenge bowling to the Indian batsmen in India," Saeed said.
Saeed Ajmal said he is training hard to maintain his fitness and gain momentum and rhythm to bowl against Indian batsmen. He said that Insha Allah he will prove his credentials against India batsmen to make his mark on the turning pitches during the short series comprising three one-day internationals and two Twenty20s.
The tour will commence from December 25. The Twenty20 internationals will be held in Bangalore and Ahmedabad while three ODI will be played in Chennai, Kolkata and New Delhi from December 25 to January 6. Pakistan team will reach India on December 22 to make some practice and to adjust themselves with the conditions there.
Saeed Ajmal said he can not wait to roll his arm over in the much-anticipated tour of India next month as the late-bloomer has played just once before on the Indian soil.
"I am training hard although I missed some matches of the President’s Trophy due to illness for which doctor had advised me rest. And the pitches also this time are more suited for pace bowlers in the tournament. But I am still working hard on preparing for the Indian tour," he said.
Saeed Ajmal, who began his international career at the age of 31, was among the probables when Pakistan last toured India in 2007 but could not make to the final squad for any format of the game.
"I was disappointed than because every cricketer wants to play a proper series in India and prove his worth," he said. "I did not get a chance to play a full series in India because of the suspension of bilateral relations since 2007 but now finally I am getting my chance and it is exciting for me," he added.
Ajmal, who is the top bowler in the ICC one-day rankings and also among the top three in the Test and T20 rankings, has taken 122 wickets in 23 Tests, 109 wickets in 71 ODIs and another 69 in 48 T20s. In fact, batsmen around the world are still unable figure out his doosra. Ajmal said he hoped the tour would go ahead on schedule and he was preparing hard for it.
Ajmal said that he would relish the challenge of bowling to India’s top batsmen. "To be a top bowler, one must always relish the challenge of doing battle with the world’s best batsmen. Bowling to the Indians in the World Cup semi final and in the Asia Cup was also a great experience for me and I learnt a lot," he said.
The spinner said he was also looking forward to the famous hospitality showered on Pakistani cricketers in India.
Meanwhile, Saeed Ajmal is all set to take part in the Australian Big Bash League after the PCB permission to maintain his bowling rhythm for the Indian series.
Ajmal will play from Adelaide Strikers will likely to leave on December 5 after playing a few matches for his domestic team before leaving and featuring in the Big Bash will be a good experience before the tour of India, he said.
–HAROON SIDDIQUI