Saqlain dons the English cap

Saqlain’s consultancy helped hosts record impressive and overwhelming win which is why he has landed another stint

With the globalisation of cricket leading teams are drawing up strategies that help overcome their weaknesses or the proverbial chinks in the armoury. Coaches and consultants from around the world are the greatest beneficiaries as they travel all over for coaching stunts.

England who are in the middle of a gripping Test series against minnows Bangladesh have an even a sterner test next — Five match Test tour — in India. To counter the Indian spinners as well as to help their own spinners England have once again hired Pakistan spin great Saqlain Mushtaq. Saqlain was last deployed for the Old Trafford Test against Pakistan earlier this year to help strategise against the wiles of Yasir Shah, who had bamboozled the hosts in the opening match of the series at Lord’s.

Saqlain’s consultancy helped the hosts record an impressive and overwhelming win which is the reason that he has landed another stint. The inventor of ‘Doosra’, Saqlain has had quality stints with the West Indies, New Zealand, Bangladesh and also win Pakistan spinners like Saeed Ajmal in the recent past. Saqlain’s pedigree makes him one of the most sought after Pakistan coach. His stature as an international bowler is second to none while he’s now hailed as a top teacher of the art of spin. On the other hand Saqlain’s visit should hopefully help quell to an extent the rising sporting tensions between India and Pakistan.

Ever since the Uri attack, Indian and Pakistani sportsmen have been forced to stay away from mutual contests barring the Asian Champions Trophy hockey games in Malyasia. Saqlain can be a goodwill ambassador across the border even when donning the English cap.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2016.

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