Saeed Ajmal regrets he isn't retiring with an international game

Saeed Ajmal bid adieu to the international cricket officially on Wednesday when Faisalabad lost in the semifinal of the ongoing National T20 Cup. He was the leader of the pack in the domestic tournament and could not end his career on a high by winning the trophy. He finished with the match figures of 1/13 in his last game. However, he was also given the final guard of honour by the players of both teams.

Ajmal became emotional during the final moments of the game and went off the field waving the near-empty stadium in Rawalpindi. Though Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) arranged a special press conference which had “Thank You Saeed Ajmal” across its backdrop.But one always felt he deserved more the way he served Pakistan cricket while at the peak of his career. The magician with the ball scalped a total of 447 international wickets during his illustrious career.

Available for foreign T20 leagues

Saeed Ajmal was speaking with a heavy heart to the reporters in the presser arranged for him specially by PCB. “It’s been 25 years…my love for cricket…so when you retire you do get emotional. I am retiring with a heavy heart, but I am satisfied with my career. Although I am retiring from international and domestic cricket, I want to stay in touch with cricket through my cricket academy and want to contribute for the country,” he said.

He also cleared that he would be available to play for T20 leagues apart from Pakistan Super League (PSL) where he will coach the bowlers of Islamabad United. “I want to remain available for foreign T20 leagues, other than the PSL, and want to continue to play the format. But for now I have accepted Islamabad United’s offer to be their spin-bowling coach. I think now is the right time to go away. I am 40 years old and I think I am now considered as baggage in domestic teams. So I don’t want to lose respect here. I want to leave with my head held high and it’s time for the youngsters to come in and take my place,” Ajmal added.

However, he regretted the fact that his last game wasn’t the international one and thanked everyone who helped him grow as a cricketer before signing off. “Whatever I have done in my career, I am absolutely happy and proud. I came into the national team after the age of 30 and have done great things for Pakistan. What I have done, many take over 20 years to achieve. Therefore I have achieved everything in my career, but I wish my last match could have been in international cricket. However, I am still happy and thank you to every single person who has supported me through my ups and downs,” emotional Ajmal concluded.