THE number one spin bowler in the world, Saeed Ajmal, will be returning for another stint as Worcestershire’s overseas player.

The County have pulled off something of a coup in luring the Pakistani international to New Road for the 2014 campaign, pending approval from the Pakistan Cricket Board and suitable visa clearances.

The 36-year-old off-spinner, who is currently ranked as the world’s number one one-day international bowler, was a great asset to Worcestershire in 2011 and played a major role in Steve Rhodes’ side avoiding the drop from Division One of the County Championship.

While the deal for Ajmal to return to New Road has been agreed, the only fly in the ointment is potential commitments the player has to appear in the Caribbean Premier League, which could rule him out for the County in July.

Worcestershire’s director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: “Saeed fitted into the dressing room fantastically well in 2011 and his experience at the highest level can only be a massive boost to our young squad.

“To sign a world-class player of Saeed’s quality shows the stature the club has in the world of cricket and demonstrates our determination to challenge for honours.”

During his previous stint with Worcestershire, Ajmal had an outstanding Friends Life t20 campaign, claiming 16 wickets in eight matches at an average of 11.37 per wicket. This included a triple-wicket maiden against Northampton-shire to finish with career best twenty20 figures of 4-14.

In just three LV= County Championship matches for Worcestershire he collected 17 wickets.

Ajmal said: “I’m looking forward to returning to New Road for what I hope will be an extended stay.

“My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our short time in Worcester during 2011 and I hope to be able to contribute to a successful 2014 campaign.”

Currently representing his county in the United Arab Emirates, Ajmal collected 4-30 with an economy rate of three runs-per-over in Pakistan’s first ODI of the series against South Africa.

In an international career spanning six years, Ajmal has taken 389 wickets for Pakistan in all formats of the game. He has played 97 ODIs, 55 twenty20 matches and 30 one-day internationals.

He currently sits fourth in the Reliance ICC’s World Ranking of Test bowlers.

Ajmal’s arrival means Worcestershire will have three front-line spinners on their books with Ajmal complementing Moeen Ali and Shaaiq Choudhry.