NEW Hampshire signing Saeed Ajmal has three games left in which to try and break a Pakistan international record that has stood since 1997.

The 35-year-old spinner, ranked number one in the world in the official ICC ratings for ODI cricket, has bagged 93 wickets for his country so far in 2012.

Ajmal, unveiled last Friday as Hampshire’s overseas player for the latter part of next summer, now has three games left to take the nine wickets he needs to establish a new best.

The current Pakistan record of most international wickets in a calendar year is Saqlain Mushtaq’s 101 15 years ago.

Ajmal is expected to feature in two t20 internationals against India in Bangalore tomorrow – yes, Christmas Day – on December 27 in Ahmedabad.

Ajmal’s final game of 2012 comes on December 30 when Pakistan face India in a 50-over international.

l HAMPSHIRE’S George Bailey played a starring role in Hobart Hurricanes’ t20 Big Bash victory over Chis Gayle’s Sydney Thunder yesterday.

Bailey struck an unbeaten 30 off only 13 balls with two fours and two sixes as Hobart reached 177-4.

Ricky Ponting (63) and Tim Paine (40) had got Hobart off to a great start with an opening stand of 111 in under 13 overs.

Gayle was out for just 13 in reply as Sydney were restricted to 144-9.

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