Akhtar advises suspended Ajmal to approach CAS

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has advised suspended off-spinner Saeed Ajmal to take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.

"I had said three months back that Saeed will have to plead his own case and take legal action against the authorities challenging the process under which he has been suspended from bowling in international cricket," Akhtar said on Geo News channel.

The maverick bowler said that Saeed had a good chance of a positive outcome if he took his case to CAS.

"His problem with his bowling action is due to a physical defect in his arm and he can be cleared on medical grounds," Akhtar said.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said on Saturday that Ajmal had withdrawn himself from the World Cup as he still wanted to further work on correcting his bowling action before appearing for any bowling test.

Ajmal was suspended by the International Cricket Council last September for an illegal bowling action.

Akhtar who in his colourful career himself was twice reported and suspended for an illegal bowling action before finally being cleared on medical grounds said that Saeed’s withdrawal would be felt by Pakistan in the World Cup.

"He has been our top bowler for the last few years and obviously his absence is going to have an impact," he added.

Image: Saeed Ajmal

Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images