Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja and England batsman Geoff Boycott on Monday urged the game’s governing body to legalize the controversial “doosra” delivery, which turns the opposite way to a conventional off-spinner.
“Why not legalize the art of doosra, which gives an off-spinner a variation in an otherwise flat one-sided spin?” asked Raja, who is in Abu Dhabi as a commentator.
“I see Saeed Ajmal’s action being questioned as unacceptable,” he added in reference to the Pakistani being reported by the match officials of the second day-night international between Pakistan and Australia in Dubai on Friday.
PHOTO: AP
The 31-year-old Ajmal was reported for his “doosra” — a delivery that is the equivalent to a leg-break bowler’s googly. Doosra means “second” or “other one” in Urdu.
Pakistan’s Saqlain Mushtaq, who starred for English county Surrey, was credited with developing the delivery in the late 1990s.
“It looks very similar to a normal off-break, but rather than spin towards the bat, it goes the other way like a leg-break and it adds to the repertoire of an off-spinner, so I see it as an art,” Raja said.
Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka, India’s Harbhajan Singh and Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik have all had their actions cleared by the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) human movement specialist panel.
South African off-spinner Johan Botha’s doosra action was also reported while playing against Australia earlier this month.
Raja said the ICC should allow off-spinners to bowl a doosra.
“Why not relax the rules and give two to three degrees more to off-spinners to bowl a doosra,” said Raja of council rules, which allow a maximum of 15 degrees of flex, meaning no bowler can extend their elbow beyond that level.
Former England captain Boycott criticized the decision taken on Ajmal.
“Muralitharan was cleared, so was Harbhajan, so why question a kid who has just come onto the scene? I think Ajmal has an art and he must execute it,” Boycott said.
Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam also criticized the ICC’s decision, saying they lacked consistency in dealing with bowlers.
“Ajmal has played against four countries and nobody raised any finger on his action,” he said. “I think the ICC lacked consistency in their process.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely