DUBAI // The door is open for Nasir Aziz to return to the national team if he can prove his worth with a good performance using only his stock, off-spin deliveries in domestic competition.
The Pakistan-born spinner is banned from bowling his doosra by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following an analysis of his bowling action at the University of Western Australia in January.
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Under the ICC Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions, Aziz is permitted to continue to bowl his stock delivery in international cricket, but he has also been warned against bowling his doosra.
“Nasir, without any doubt, has done a great job in the UAE’s success, but it is beyond my control to keep him in the squad when he is reported for illegal action,” coach Aaqib Javed said.
“We have high regards for him as a cricketer. Nasir cannot bowl the doosra and that’s his main weapon.
“We are monitoring his performances in the domestic games, and if he can still prove his worth to the selectors with his stock deliveries he can still return to the national team.”
Aziz was reported twice during the ICC World Twenty20 qualifier series in the UAE last year – after a group stage match against Uganda and then following his side’s semi-final against Ireland.
“Obviously I am very disappointed that I have been overlooked because I cannot bowl the doosra,” said Aziz, who is the captain of the Alubond Tigers in the domestic competitions.
“I have now stopped bowling the doosra, but bowl the off-spinners and the drifter, from both of which I have taken a lot of wickets.
“I think I have done pretty well in domestic matches and am hopeful of a recall to the national team.
“It is very hard for us in the UAE with the day job and training almost every day in the evening. It is the passion to play cricket that keeps us going and I just hope I can make it to the World Cup, which is the dream of every sportsman.”
Aziz was the UAE’s leading wicket-taker on last summer’s tour to Canada where he took 13 wickets, in the Asian Cricket Council Emerging teams tournament (17) in Singapore, and the ICC World Twenty20 qualifiers in the Emirates.
apassela@thenational.ae
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