Saqlain accepts 10-day stint with England

Former Test player to travel to Manchester in June

KARACHI: Pakistan’s former Test player Saqlain Mushtaq has agreed to a 10-day stint as spin-bowling consultant of England for their series against Pakistan, which begins next month.

The 39-year-old said he will try to help the England team as much as he can in the short time he will spend with them.

“I’m really excited about working with England for their series against Pakistan, even if it’s a short-term deal,” Saqlain told The Express Tribune. “I’m currently occupied with my work as an analyst with PTV Sports. However, I’ll fly to England before the second Test [against Pakistan] in Manchester and will work with the players.”

Saqlain added that he was previously contacted by the England and Wales Cricket Board to work in a similar capacity on their tour of South Africa, but he was unable to take up the opportunity due to prior commitment.



Asked about his plans for the Pakistan team, he replied that all strategies will be made once he reaches England.

When pressed whether he would be only working with spinners Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali or whether he will be helping the England’s batting line-up tackle the threat of Yasir Shah, Saqlain replied, “All that is confidential and I can’t tell you my plans, but one thing which I want to do is to add value to the team’s input to help them do well against Pakistan.”

For now, Saqlain will be working for just over a week, but a long-term deal may be considered later.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2016.

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