Ajmal to target ‘key man’ Kallis in Test series against South Africa

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has set his sights on all-rounder Jacques Kallis, as he feels that he is the key to South Africa’s batting order in the upcoming Test series in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

“Jacques Kallis is the main threat to us and I am going to target him. I am sure that I will be the highest wicket taker of the series,” PakPassion.net quoted Ajmal, as saying.

The ‘home series’ against South Africa would consist of two Test matches, five ODIs and a Twenty20 match.

The first Test will be played in Dubai from November 12 to 16, while the second Test will be played in Abu Dhabi form November 20 to 24.

Meanwhile, talking about himself, Ajmal said that Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan and Pakistani pioneer Saqlain Mushtaq were the two bowlers he always looked up to for inspiration.

“Muralitharan is a great bowler, and he is a very humble individual. Even though he is such a huge star, Murali is always willing to offer help and advice whenever I have approached him,” Ajmal said.

“I rate Saqlain higher than Murali, simply because Saqlain was the one who invented the Doosra. He is a great bloke too, and has been a great help to me. Whenever I have approached him, he has given me valuable tips; for instance, when I was in England this summer, we discussed about how to make my off-break better,” he added.

The 33-year-old was included in the Pakistan Test team for the recent series against England.

In the Edgbaston Test, Ajmal had picked up his maiden international five-wicket haul and had also notched up his maiden half-century.

He was the chief tormentor of England’s ace batsman Kevin Pietersen. (ANI)