Tuesday, April 29th, 2014

Saeed Sets Sights On Promotion After Successful Return For Worcestershire

Saeed Sets Sights On Promotion After Successful Return For Worcestershire

Saeed Ajmal is targeting promotion with Worcestershire after making a successful start to his second spell at New Road.

The Pakistan star returned the excellent figures of 4-60 from 26.3 overs as Derbyshire were bowled out for 219 on the second day of the LV County Championship encounter.

Ajmal is available for a potential nine County Championship and 11 NatWest T20 Blast matches during his three month stint.

The 36-year-old said: "What are my targets? I have come to give my best for Worcestershire, to take some wickets and to go for promotion.

"I am happy to be playing for Worcestershire again. Why have I come back? Pakistan do not play for three to four months and I asked to be allowed to play here again.

"I enjoyed it here last time. They are a bunch of good guys, my family is here, everyone is happy with me and I want to do well for Worcestershire.

"I played in the Twenty20 also last time and did well and Worcestershire were happy with me. That is why they called me again to play."

Ajmal is confident he can adapt quickly to the chilly and uncertain weather in an English spring after the heat of Pakistan.

He said: "It takes a while to acclimatise because I have come from Pakistan where the temperature is 40 degrees to 10-15 degrees and raining in England.

"Maybe I will take a few days to settle down but I am ready to play. I will be trying my best to bring good times to Worcester and it was nice to start with a few wickets."

Ajmal showed his quality in claiming two wickets in two balls.

First Wes Durston (2) pushed forward and was snapped up at short leg by ex Derbyshire player Ross Whiteley.

Then Derbyshire wicket-keeper Dan Hodgson, who is on loan from Yorkshire, was adjudged lbw after playing back to his first ball.

Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell gave a break to Ajmal after an impressive spell of 15-4-31-2.

Ajmal switched to the New Road End and had Tony Palladino (11) caught sweeping low down at square leg by Morris with the total on 136.

He polished off the innings as Mark Footitt (17) fell to a fine catch from Alexei Kervezee running back from extra cover.