Saeed Ajmal heading for second spell with Worcestershire
Saeed Ajmal could feature for Worcestershire this weekend after finally being cleared to return to England.
Last Updated: 25/04/14 10:22am
The spinner has obtained his working visa and been given a No Objection Certificate by the Pakistan Cricket Board - he is expected to arrive in England on Friday.
Worcestershire are back in County Championship Division Two action on Sunday against Derbyshire and Ajmal is in line to make his second debut, having featured for the county back in 2011 as well.
His stint in England will run until mid-July with Pakistan having arranged to tour Sri Lanka later that month, running into August, but he should be available for nine four-day games and 12 matches in the NatWest T20 Blast.
Jealous
Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes said: "Saeed is a very special talent, a lovely guy and will be great for our dressing room and it's great that he is returning here for the next three months or so.
"This guy is one of the best bowlers in the world - so for us to pull off a coup in signing him is tremendous. Other sides would have desperately loved to have had him. Make no mistake there will be a lot of jealous counties out there.
"He is top of the tree and he is a very good asset to the Club. For his age, his excitement, energy and enjoyment for the game of cricket is quite amazing."
Captain Daryl Mitchell added: "Saeed really is a genius and I don't use that term lightly. He is something special. He has got things that other people in the game simply haven't got.
"It is a huge boost to have him back here. He acts as an inspiration to the other lads in the dressing room. He is a great guy and one of those guys who loves bowling.
"He practices as hard as anyone as well. He is the first one over in the nets in the morning when he gets here and does extra training with his bowling.
"He is a real inspiration and a great role model for everyone else in the squad and after a positive start in our first two LV= County Championship matches will give the team a further lift for the summer ahead."