Pakistan Saeed Ajmal
Saeed Ajmal will need to be at his best for Pakistan to level the series against Sri Lanka. Reuters

The race against time begins as Pakistan's star off spinner, Saeed Ajmal, has started remedial work and aims to complete it to be able to participate in the World Cup. Ajmal was banned from bowling in international cricket last Tuesday. The shocking ban came after his actions, which involved all his deliveries, were found illegal. Moreover, he reportedly exceeded the 15-degree tolerance level permitted in the game. He was reported in the first test match against Sri Lanka at Galle.

Ajmal has opted out of the domestic T20 tournament and will be starting his remedial work on Monday. Saqlain Mushtaq, the inventor of the 'doosra'--a delivery that spins the opposite direction to an off break, has offered his services. He will be joining Ajmal on September 22. Saqlain is hopeful that Ajmal will be back within four months.

"Although there is no bar on him playing domestic cricket, his name has been withdrawn from the side as he is going to undergo remedial work on his bowling action with the help of Saqlain Mushtaq, who is expected to join on September 22," a PCB spokesman told ESPNcricinfo. He plays for Faisalabad Wolves in domestic tournaments and will not be able to represent them this season. Ajmal needs to quickly complete his remedial work in time for the World Cup, which is scheduled to start February next year.

Ajmal's ban came as a shock to the cricketing world. He has been recognised as one of the most prolific off spinners to have graced the game after the departure of Saqlain Mushtaq and Muttiah Murlidharan. However, Ajmal has already been tested for an illegal action in 2009, but was later cleared. Analysts and former cricketers believe that the excessive workload has taken its toll on the athlete. In the last three years, Ajmal has bowled the most deliveries in international cricket.

Ajmal, however, seems positive to make a comeback before the World Cup. "I am positive about this and not worried because I believe I can make the World Cup," he told reporters in Faisalabad. In 2002, Ajmal faced an accident where he broke his right hand. His arm had a natural bend since then.