PCB takes dope test of Saeed Ajmal in his last match of his career

Saeed Ajmal, with the passage of time, has carved a reputation for himself as an indefatigable servant of Pakistan cricket. He has bamboozled the best in the business with his guile and trajectory and has picked up wickets consistently. However, he was banned on account of having a suspect action. He made a comeback with a remodelled action, but couldn’t weave the same magic he earlier used to.

Consequently, he was evicted for the national team and hasn’t played for Pakistan since 2015. Nevertheless, he kept plying his trade for Faisalabad in the domestic circuit. Recently, the 40-year old tweaker decided to hang his boots up from all forms of cricket. He played his final game for Faisalabad against the Lahore Whites in the National T20 Cup at Rawalpindi.

He strained every muscle and returned with figures of 1/13 in four overs. However, the last rites of his illustrious career were still to be performed. After the game, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) conducted a dope test with him, the results of which are due only after a week. Twitter was a bit agitated by PCB’s approach towards Ajmal.

This is shocking and disrespect of a Legend….PCB takes Dope Test of Saeed Ajmal in last match of his Career. pic.twitter.com/IgTWVobEO1

— Imran Siddique (@SportsJournoo) November 29, 2017

A harsh, yet right step

Over the years, Pakistan cricket has been marred by several scandals owing to match-fixing, dope tests and the country’s security issues. Consequently, cricket in the country has gone through innumerable hurdles, which hasn’t helped Pakistan cricket to any extent whatsoever. The rate of players failing in dope tests has escalated alarmingly and has been an area of concern.

PCB’s decision to conduct the dope test on Ajmal might look harsh on the hindsight, but in the end, no cricketer is beyond the laws. Laws pertaining to the purity of the sport should never be compromised. Diverging from the dope test, we all wish Ajmal for a happy and prosperous life ahead.