Saeed Ajmal Shares Hillarious Exchange with James Anderson During a 2010 England-Pakistan Test
James Anderson and Saeed Ajmal (Photo-Reuters)

England-Pakistan have been involved in some iconic and controversial battles over the years. Who can forget that memorable 1992 World Cup final where Wasim Akram wreaked havoc on the Englishman or the succeeding Test series in England, where Pakistan was accused of ball-tampering?

Pakistan’s Test tour of England has always been marred with controversy. In the 2006 Test tour, Inzamam Ul Haq-led unit staged a walkout after Daryll Hair accused the Pakistanis of ball-tampering. That remains the only forfeited match in the history of the game.

But the tipping point came during the 2010 rubber when the likes of Salman Butt, the then Pakistan captain, Mohammad Amir, and Mohammad Asif were caught in the spot-fixing scandal.

But that series, despite the scandal, was a hugely entertaining one and Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal, who was a part of that rubber, narrated a fun-filled incident in a recent video on Youtube.

Also Read: Saqlain Mushtaq Opens Up On Dismissing Sachin Tendulkar In The 1999 India-Pakistan Chennai Test

When Saeed Ajmal wanted to hit James Anderson with his bat during a 2010 England-Pakistan Test

Saeed Ajmal, Asia Cup 2018
Saeed Ajmal. (Photo: PCB)

The incident took place in the second Test at Birmingham where the visitors, after having been bowled out for 72 in the first innings were battling to avert an inning defeat after they had been reduced to 7-153 in their second essay.

Ajmal revealed how Jamie Anderson targeted him with a barrage of bouncers, post which he had told his partner Zulqarnain Haider that he wanted to smash Anderson’s head with his bat.

“When they [England] took the new ball, Anderson came up to me and said ‘Are you ready for bouncers?’ and I told him that I don’t know English. I thought he is joking since I am a tailender and he would probably bowl straight and get me out,” said Ajmal during a YouTube video as quoted by cricketpakistan.com.pk

He added: “But they fired a barrage of bouncers at me. When I got hit by six or seven bouncers, I told Zulqarnain [Haider] that I want to smash Anderson’s head with my bat. Then I decided to go for my shots. I tried to step out of my crease and hit a couple of bouncers. Then the ball started coming on to my bat and I ended up with a fifty.”

Ajmal kept his cool though and as the innings progressed, he grew into confidence, and smoked a 79-ball 50, stitching a valuable 116-run-stand with Zulqarnain Haider (88). Pakistan eventually lost the Test match by nine wickets as England chased down the requisite 118 runs in the fourth innings.

Also Read: Saqlain Mushtaq Opens Up On Dismissing Sachin Tendulkar In The 1999 India-Pakistan Chennai Test