Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal has described his time away from the game as "the most difficult" of his life. Ajmal, who was banned from bowling in international cricket in September for an illegal action, underwent extensive remedial work with former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, and had to go through three unofficial tests before finally being cleared by the ICC in February.

Ajmal, who was the top-ranked ODI bowler at the time of his suspension, credited his family and friends for helping him through the ordeal, and remained confident that he could return as the linchpin of Pakistan's attack after being selected in all three formats for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh.

"It was torture living without cricket," Ajmal told. "I have endured eight months of pain and it was the most difficult time of my life. I did my rehab and remedial work with the support of my family, friends and the Pakistan Cricket Board and now I am quite hopeful that I will be able to bowl as effectively as I used to before the suspension. I see no problems with my remodeled action as I have done enough work on it."

Courtesy: ESPN