Top Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal can't wait to rollhis arm over in the the much-anticipated tour of India next month as thelate-bloomer has played just once before on the Indian soil.
"I started my international career late and I have gota chance to play just one match against India in their own backyard the 2011World Cup semi final at Mohali," Ajmal told PTI.
"That is why I am eagerly looking forward to this touras it will be a challenge bowling to the Indian batsmen in their ownbackyard," he said.
Ajmal, who began his international career at the age of 31,was among the probables when Pakistan last toured India in 2007 but couldn'tmake the final squad for any format of the game.
"I was disappointed than because every cricketer wantsto play a proper series in India and prove his worth," he said.
"I didn't get a chance to play a full series in Indiabecause of the suspension of bilateral relations since 2007 but now finally Iam getting my chance and it is exciting for me," he added.
Ajmal, who is the top bowler in the ICC one-day rankings andalso among the top three in the Test and T20 rankings, has taken 122 wickets in23 Tests, 109 wickets in 71 ODIs and another 69 in 48 T20s. In fact, batsmenaround the world are still unable figure out his doosra.
Ajmal said he hoped the tour would go ahead on schedule andhe was preparing hard for it.
"I am training hard although I missed some matches ofthe President's Trophy due to illness for which doctor had advised me rest. Andthe pitches also this time are more suited for pace bowlers in the tournament.But I am still working hard on preparing for the Indian tour," he said.
Ajmal said that he would relish the challenge of bowling toIndia's top batsmen.
"To be a top bowler, one must always relish thechallenge of doing battle with the world's best batsmen. Bowling to the Indiansin the World Cup semi final and in the Asia Cup was also a great experience forme and I learnt a lot," he said.
The spinner said he was also looking forward to the famoushospitality showered on Pakistani cricketers in India.