Under-scrutiny Ajmal blames Watson

Pakistani off-spinner Saeed Ajmal today blamed Australian all-rounder Shane Watson for tipping off umpires which led to his bowling action being reported as illegal.

The 31-year-old was reported for suspect bowling by umpires in the second day-night international between Pakistan and Australia in Dubai on Friday.

He will come under review by the International Cricket Council, although he can continue to play in the meantime.

Ajmal was surprised he was reported.

"They told me in the first game some of my doosras had (a) little elbow bend," Ajmal told Cricinfo, referring to the off-spinner's equivalent of a leg-spinners' googly, which turns the other way.

"I was very surprised. My first-class debut was in 1996 and this has not happened before.

"I think Watson was talking with the umpires about this. He was speaking with them and when the match finished the umpires said there is a problem.

"But I am not disappointed. I am playing in the third match on Monday. It is not a problem."

Ajmal took 2-19 in his 10 overs during the first one-dayer on Wednesday but was overshadowed by fellow leg-spinner Shahid Afridi's career-best 6-38, which helped Pakistan win the match.

But with concerns over his action, Ajmal managed only one wicket in the second match which Australia won by six wickets.

With his comments blaming Watson, Ajmal could face more trouble as Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed said he had violated the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) code of conduct.

"Under the PCB's code of conduct, players are not allowed to speak to the media and a comment on an ICC decision is a further violation, we will inquire about it," Saeed told AFP.

Ajmal can also be penalised under the ICC code of conduct.

Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam has also criticised the ICC's decision on Ajmal, saying they lacked consistency in with dealing bowlers with illegal actions.

"Ajmal has played against four countries and nobody raised any finger on his action and suddenly this decision comes," Alam said.

"I think they (ICC) are lacking consistency in this process. He bowled exceptionally well and suddenly they decided that he has a problem with his action."

But former Pakistan paceman Sarfraz Nawaz defended the ICC decision.

"I informed the PCB during the first class season that Ajmal has problems with his action and he had to be reported some day," Nawaz said in Islamabad.

Ajmal, who has so far played seven one-day matches, made his debut against India in Karachi last year.