Ajmal says bowlers facing tough times in limited-overs cricket

Veteran Pakistani cricketer Saeed Ajmal, who is widely regarded as the world's best off-spinner, has said that life in limited-overs cricket is becoming increasingly tough for bowlers.

Ajmal said that times have changed and there is hardly any respect for bowlers these days and believes that the Twenty20 format and rule changes in 50-over matches has made a real difference.

According to the Dawn, the off-spinner said that the attitude and approach of batsmen has become more brazen and it has become very difficult for bowlers.

Ajmal said that cricket is very fast nowadays and as a bowler one is always under pressure, adding that batsmen can attack in T20 or 50-over cricket from the start, so a bowler needs to keep coming up with something new in every match.

Ajmal reportedly pointed out that attacking shots, which were unimaginable a few years back, are now being played by batsmen.

Ajmal, who has taken 169 wickets in 33 tests, 182 in 110 ODIs and 85 in 63 T20s, said that T20 cricket is made for batsmen while in ODIs the five fielders inside the circle rule has brought pressure on the bowlers, the report added.