ISLAMABAD, 20 November 2004 — Former Pakistan great Imran Khan yesterday backed proposed changes to cricket’s throwing laws and said he would love to see how much his arm bent when he used to bowl during his illustrious career.
“I would love to see how much my arm used to bend, I was under the illusion that my arm was always right and did not bend,” Khan told AFP. “It would be interesting to see through the modern technology how much the former bowlers used to bend their arms,” said Khan who is now an MP. “I would not mind if I was found bending the arm, how much we used to bend the arm would be interesting to note,” said the 52-year-old Khan, who took 362 wickets in 82 Tests and 182 in 175 one-day games between 1971 to 1992.
“When we used to play, such a modern technology was not used and I have always said that the bowling law was faulty but now I am happy that this has come under discussion and it should be solved,” said Khan.
An International Cricket Council (ICC) committee of former Test players, supported by scientific equipment last month found that almost every international bowler straightened their arm at some stage of delivery.
The committee was headed by ICC general manager David Richardson, a former South African wicketkeeper, also including former Test stars like Sunil Gavaskar, Aravinda de Silva, Angus Fraser and Michael Holding. It recommended a new rule allowing bowlers to straighten their arms by up to 15 degrees.
Khan said the new rules should be implemented in the right spirit.
Injured Saqlain Targets
February Return
In Karachi, Pakistan’s seasoned off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq is targeting a return to competitive cricket in late February after surgery.
“I have had key-hole surgeries on both my knees which had developed ulcers in them. I am now going through the rehabilitation process and by late February should be back to playing cricket,” Saqlain told Reuters on Friday.
The 28-year old has played just one test for Pakistan in a miserable year. He was dropped from the squad in April.
