Saeed Ajmal will launch his third spell for Worcestershire Rapids this evening with Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes believing the spin wizard will be hungry to prove he can still be a major force.
Ajmal will play for the Rapids in tonight's NatWest T20 Blast match with Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Northampton at the start of an initial five week spell back at New Road.
The 37-year-old has remodelled his action to obtain ICC approval after a spell of being banned from international cricket with Pakistan.
Rhodes said: "Will he have a point to prove? Exactly that and we are always desperate to try and pick up overseas players who have got a point to prove.
"He has had a bit of time out from the game and he will be hungry to prove to people that he can still bowl. Worcestershire can benefit from that hugely."
Ajmal is a popular figure with players and supporters at New Road and last summer picked up 63 wickets in nine LV = County Championship matches.
Rhodes believes he deserves to succeed with his comeback after the effort he has put in with his new action to get back playing again.
He said: "Saeed has been hugely successful here. Last year was a special year for him but we don't know how he is going to go.
"The really crucial bit here is the effort he has put in trying to get back to playing again and that should be complimented and rewarded with hopefully some success on the field.
"He has really worked hard with Saqlain Mushtaq to get back to a position where he can play international and domestic cricket again.
"Hopefully through all that hard work, he will get some reward for the effort he has put in."
