Spin wizard Saeed Ajmal has vowed to repay the faith shown in him by Worcestershire while remodelling his bowling action this winter after signing for a third spell with the county during the 2015 campaign.
Ajmal will definitely be available for the second half of the season from early July and is determined to help Worcestershire "achieve their high goals" and help establish them in Division One of the LV = County Championship.
Whether the 37-year-old is also available for a sizeable chunk of the first half of the season will depend on both his inclusion in the tour party to tour Bangladesh in April and May and whether or not the tour actually goes ahead with discussions between the two boards currently taking place.
Pakistan have already issued a No Objection Certificate as regards Ajmal's spell with Worcestershire when not on international duty.
Ajmal played a major part in the county gaining promotion to Division One of the Championship last summer with 63 wickets in nine matches.
He has had to remodel his action after being banned from international cricket since September but was given the green light to resume bowling after passing an ICC biomechanics test in Chennai last month.
Ajmal said: "I am proud to be part of Worcestershire County Cricket Club and delighted to be coming back for a third spell.
"I've had this difficult spell of my career with my action but I knew I would come through it and have had the support not only of Pakistan but Worcestershire throughout.
"Worcestershire have all the time stood by me and I can assure them I will repay the faith they have shown in me this season.
"I would love to be with Worcestershire as long as possible so I can help the club achieve their high goals and also help establish them in Division One."
Worcestershire Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes has constantly shown his support for Ajmal during the past six months while he has remodelled his action.
He said: "I'm delighted Saeed is coming back. He's very important in what is hopefully going to be a successful season for us and an important member of the dressing room.
"He brings a lot of confidence to the team as well which is really important for this young group of players.
"We are obviously waiting to hear as to what is going to happen regarding the Bangladesh-Pakistan series – if it goes ahead or not.
"That will determine how much cricket we see from Saeed this year but the good thing is we know for definite he will be available for the second half of the season.
"He has made a tremendous impact. He is a real quality performer as all our members and supporters know."
Rhodes revealed the amount of work Ajmal has undergone to remodel his action.
He said: "We are very optimistic after all the work Saeed has done in getting back bowling after his problems with failing his test.
"We are very optimistic with all that bowling that he is well grooved and may come back a better bowler.
"He has bowled a couple of thousand overs, he talks about bowling 12,000 balls, and that's a hefty amount of grooving.
"He says he has developed other things as well. It's all quite exciting news."
