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[Kaz092]

What a shame Ajmal is not English we wouldn't be having this conversation right now and could just carry on enjoying the game we all love ..... CRICKET without the politics !!!!!!!!

[The_Bird]

What a shame Ajmal is not English we wouldn't be having this conversation right now and could just carry on enjoying the game we all love ..... CRICKET without the politics !!!!!!!!

I agree it's a bit embarrassing really, typical uk media tho Bob Willis is like a Grenade without a Pin, im shocked Sky let him near a Pakistan series after the controvesy from the last one.

[alba caerulea]

In regards to picking Ajmal's doosra, it effectiveness is greatly improved by its disguise. He bowls with a scrambled seam so the traditional ways of reading it by the hand or the seam position are hindered considerably. That the main reason why he so difficult to pick is because he can bowl, both the doosra and his off break with the exact same action, so no one knows which way it was going to turn. Also his doosra doesn't turn a lot, just subtle movement the other way. especially in comparison to Murali and when it does turn too much it will miss the bat. so its not the amount of turn that gets wicket its not knowing when its coming.

Remember this ball was invented by Saqlain Mushtaq, and he had considerable success with it. but the problem he had was eventually he over-bowled this and most batsmen got used to it and generally picked it most of the time. they negated it and he was towards the end of his international career seen as a one trick pony. Ajmal uses the his ability to disguise to its maximum effect. There have been cases where certain bowlers were banned from bowling their doosra such as Harbhajan, Shohaib Malik and even Murali for a short period time. I know that Malik is still not allowed to bowl his as it illegal and more than 15 degrees. so if Ajmal is chucking why is still allowed to bowl it?

Bottom line, forget all the people who disagree and whether its chucking or not, until the ICC move to ban the doosra altogether, its a legal delivery. So just get on with it and play the ball.

You're not quite right there. It would defy the laws of science to be able to bowl different deliveries with exactly the same action. There must be some variation that makes the ball spin in the opposite direction out of the hand. In Ajmals case it is his wrist and hand that turn further in a clockwise direction when he bowls his doosra, so that the batsman is looking at the back of his hand nearly when the ball is released. This action is made easier and emphasized if there is flexibility in the elbow (you can try it yourself sitting down with your arm horizontally in front of you).

[Opener]

Now who's quoting a pundit and not a player or official? You've just taken what the writer of that article said (not a player or official) and used it as your own opinion!

Also, then, if it is a well known opinion that the doosra cannot be bowled legally then my comments can hardly be controversial or in fact cause you any confusion?

Which writer and which article? I have just read a compilation of Trott's and Flowers statements on another forum. For any Pakistani the Saqlain Mushtaq argument is a no-brainer. I am unaware if it was recently used by someone. You comments are regarding Ajmal's doosra and mocking the 15 degree rule.

England, to my knowledge, have not argued to ban the doosra and if they win this series eventually Ajmal will be forgotten as well...

[PedalsMcgrew]

Monty has got the scoop out!!! Sweet!

Dammit.....that didn't last long....

[FattusCattus]

Monty apparently using a Scoop! (Briefly!)

[PedalsMcgrew]

At least he hit it   

[The_Bird]

Things starting to happen now Younus gone!!

[The_Bird]

Misbah gone come on monty!!!

[Number4]

Surely Nasar has to be the most biased commentator out there. First he says "I'm not biased I just think it was out" then he says "just because there is doubt doesn't mean it has to go in favor of the batsmen, there is no rule to say it has to go in favor of the batsmen". Well if there is doubt and it's not 100% clear then surely it has to go in favor of the batsmen doesn't it.

I think it was out as well but there was some doubt in the 3rd umpires mind.

[Cover_Drive]

Good day for England they are well ahead, if Pakistan makes anything over 250 then it would be good for them as chasing on day 4/5 wtih a spinning pitch won't be easy

But England certainly are front runner atm

[Kulli]

Wow, I had never thought of it like that.
So England have not mastered playing Ajmal as some may have thought, but instead it was Ajmal who restrained himself from delivering his best.

Or you could say he bowled normally with no success, so started cheating!

[PedalsMcgrew]

Or you could say he bowled normally with no success, so started cheating!

Or more likely that after the focus was put so heavily on his bowling action after the first test (rightly or wrongly) he tried to keep his arm a lot straighter but as the adrenaline rose and the day wore on he reverted back to his more usual action...and hey presto the ball starts spitting off the pitch and wickets start to fall....

Just a theory of course......

[Opener]

My theory is Ajmals's action will be forgotten if England win the series just as this recent report from Cricinfo:

"The growing quality of pitches in the UAE has contributed to two engrossing Tests. It was widely anticipated that this could be a tedious series on unresponsive pitches. Instead, there has been enough life for bowlers to relish an even contest."

after every one condemning these pitches initially. Or this from the same match report

"But the main benefits have come from the advent of DRS. Technology is rapidly making defensive pad play a thing of the past as umpires grant lbw decisions where once they would have looked askance. The game is different now: livelier, more combative and eminently more watchable. The downside is that lbw decisions are at an all-time high but with the future of Test cricket in such doubt, technology has provided a timely shot in the arm. "

which is certainly more upbeat about the impact of DRS than Bob Willis after Ajmal's five lbws in the first innings of the first test.

Of course this is all conjecture...

[alba caerulea]

Another great days cricket from what i've seen. England favorites but still hope for Pakistan should either of the 2 bats at the crease or Akmal produce something substantial. I wouldn't be confident of England chasing over 200 against the spin trio!

Did anyone bet on my tip of Broad for MOM? I didn't  a couple of wickets in the morning and its his if England can win