Sri Lankan great Muttiah Muralitharan has backed Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal to correct the current problems with his bowling technique in time to play in next year’s World Cup.

The off-spinner was recently called to the ICC’s testing centre in Brisbane to have his action assessed and after it was deemed to be illegal, is now taking time off to try and cure the issues which included the angle of his elbow being over twice the legal limit.

It means he will likely miss the upcoming series with Australia, who are the 4.00 favourites to win the World Cup, and faces a race against time to be available to play in the global championship which the Australian’s will host alongside New Zealand, starting on February 14.

Despite taking a world record 800 Test wickets, Muralitharan himself often came under suspicion and twice had his action assessed following accusations he wasn’t bowling legally, only to return seemingly stronger on both occasions.

Having drifted in and out of the international arena during his early years, Ajmal is now seen as a key man for his country who are currently 9.00 to be crowned world champions.

The Worcestershire man is currently working with former Pakistan bowler Saqlain Mushtaq in a bid to make sure he is ready for the World Cup and Murali feels the 36-year-old still has time on his side to make the tournament.

“Definitely if he works on it for two, three months,” Muralitharan said.”He’s working on it with Saqlain Mushtaq. He can teach him and he can work hard. Nothing is impossible in life.”