ISLAMABAD Nov 15 (APP): Legendary batsman Javed Miandad has urged the
International Cricket Council (ICC) to bind every spinner to wear a half-sleeve shirt in matches saying that this would help check illegal actions.
Talking to APP, Miandad said if adopted the move would enable the world
cricket governing body to have a close check on the bowling actions of all off and leg spin bowlers, whose bowling actions might exceed the 15-degree extension limit.
The former cricket great while reacting to reports about off-spinner
Saeed Ajmal, who has recently expressed his opinion on the ICC policy on bowlers with suspect bowling actions, said it was offs-spinner’s personal view and one should respect it instead of making it an issue.
“ICC should monitor Indian Harbhajan Singh’s action? Have the ICC ever
paid any attention to these (Indian) bowlers? Is not the impression getting stronger that that the ICC has double standards?” he questioned.
Miandad said that initially Ajmal’s action was also found illegal but later on he changed that adding “if he has spoken about Harbhajan’s action now it means there is something suspicious as a victim can judge the other better than anyone else.”
He also hit at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) saying Ajmal should be supported at this time as he had remained Pakistan’s top bowler but now he had to start things afresh.
“Taking Ajmal’s statement more serious than the bowler is tantamount to disgracing him. He already feels disgruntled for being ignored after his changed bowling action and now if you consider to take an action against him what sort of support it would be for him,” he added.
Miandad also advised T20 skipper Shahid Afridi to improve his performance and focus on the upcoming T20 series rather than the T20 World Cup.
“Afridi needs to improvement in both bowling and batting as his performance was below par in the T20 series against Zimbabwe,” he said.
