Saeed Ajmal brings magical mystery spin to Adelaide Strikers

STRIKERS recruit Saeed Ajmal was lured to Adelaide on the promise of a spin-friendly pitch and a glowing reference from Pakistan team-mate Shahid Afridi.

Saeed Ajmal

STRIKERS recruit Saeed Ajmal was lured to Adelaide on the promise of a spin-friendly pitch and a glowing reference from Pakistan team-mate Shahid Afridi.

Ajmal will bring his magical mystery spin to Adelaide Oval as cover for West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard in this season's Twenty20 Big Bash League and also will be available for the 2013 Champions League.

Ajmal, 35, was equal fourth-highest wicket-taker at the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka with nine victims at 18 before Pakistan was eliminated in the semi-finals by host Sri Lanka.

"I have played in Adelaide with Pakistan and there is much help for a bowler like me, bounce and turn," 23 Test spinner Ajmal said.

"I have spoken to Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq who tell me the Big Bash is one of the most competitive and toughest T20 leagues in the world."

Afridi featured in South Australia's Big Bash title-winning team in 2010-11.

Ajmal will figure in the Strikers' tournament opener against Perth Scorchers in Perth on December 9 and return for the finals, if required, when Pollard will be on West Indies duty.

"I am very keen to meet up with the rest of the boys soon and play my best in the games I am available, with the hope Adelaide makes the final stages and I can return to help win the competition," he said.

The Strikers added Tim Ludeman as keeper after a stellar start to the season with scores of 79 and 85 and exceptional glovework against Shield finalists Queensland and Tasmania.