Rephrased Article:
Former Pakistani off-spinner, Saeed Ajmal, claims that if he had played for India, he would have taken 1,000 wickets in international cricket. Ajmal, who was regarded as the top bowler in world cricket in the early 2010s, believes that playing under a powerful board like the BCCI would have allowed him to achieve this feat.
Ajmal expressed his opinion during an appearance on the Nadir Ali podcast, emphasizing that he was a bowler who consistently took 100 wickets each year. He cited his impressive statistics to support his claim, showcasing the vast disparity between his wicket tally and that of other bowlers during his peak.
Between 2012 and 2014, Ajmal took a staggering 326 wickets, while James Anderson stood as the second-highest wicket-taker with 186 wickets. Highlighting this significant difference, Ajmal emphasized his ability to consistently cross the 100-wicket mark each year throughout his international career.
Furthermore, Ajmal discussed his frustration at being banned from bowling in 2014. He asserted that he had initially been cleared to bowl with the same action when he debuted in 2009 and thrived over the next few years, amassing 448 wickets and securing the world number one bowler position. Ajmal believes that the ICC changed the bowling action rules and banned him because they recognized his dominance and wanted to find a way to halt his progress.
In Ajmal’s view, the Pakistan Cricket Board failed to intervene and prevent his ban in 2014, leading to the premature end of his international career.
Providing a balanced perspective, it is important to note that Ajmal’s claims are subjective and open to speculation. While he was undoubtedly a talented bowler, it is impossible to accurately predict how his career would have unfolded had he played for India, as various factors come into play, such as team dynamics and opponents faced.
Nonetheless, Ajmal’s assertions shed light on the challenges faced by talented cricketers and the impact of governing bodies’ decisions on their careers.
