Ajmal's mystery delivery unique, says Hafeez
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Pakistani allrounder Mohammad Hafeez raised the excitement over off-spinner Saeed Ajmal's myster delivery he wants to unveil against England in the first Test starting on Tuesday, saying it is ‘unique.’
Ajmal, who took the most Test wickets in 2011 with 50, declared last month he will unveil a myster delivery against England and Hafeez said he has played that delivery in the nets and found it different.
"Yes, I have played his delivery in the nets, it's a bit different and he has worked a lot on this in the last six-eight months. He has not bowled it internationally, so it will be bit different and exciting," said Hafeez.
Hafeez, himself a off-spinner, refused to give more details.
"I can't tell more about it, he can better tell you. You will judge it when he bowls that, I don't want to reveal that, he has this new weapon and has command over it and has called it "teesra (third one)," said Hafeez.
Former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq invented a unique delivery which he named "doosra" (second one) -- a delivery which is bowled with the normal off-spin action but turns the opposite way.
Hafeez said Ajmal has improved his skills through this new delivery.
"Because of his extra-ordinary work (on the delivery) .... I must leave it for him to bowl rather than I reveal anything, and I wish him success in this delivery. Every person has that ability to improve his skill and he has done that," said Hafeez.
"I don't know how difficult it will be for others, I have played him as a bowler for the last eight, nine years so it will be somehting new in cricket."
England batting coach Graham Gooch on Wednesday played down the hype over Ajmal's mystery delivery, saying it was no concern for England batsman.
Hafeez said Pakistan has the edge over England in spin bowling.
"We have an edge in the spin bowling as our spinners -- Ajmal and Abdul Rehman -- are world class bowlers and conditions have helped our slow bowlers here last year," said Hafeez.
Both Pakistan and England are liekly to enter the first Test with two spinners, with Hafeez providing Pakistan an extra option in the slow bowling.
England have off-spinner Graeme Swann and left-armer Monty Panesar, who warmed up for the Test with an eight wicket haul in the second side match which his team won on Friday.
Hafeez said Pakistan were positive for the series and have bowlers to take 20 wickets -- a pre-requisite to win a Test.
The three-Test series will be followed by four one-day and three Twenty20 internationals.
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