West Indies players warm up during a training session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on March 31, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
DHAKA: While Pakistan have been buoyant over their spin weapon, Saeed Ajmal, West Indies have an ace up their sleeve in the form Saqlain Mushtaq the original “doosra,” as the two teams prepare to go head to head on Wednesday in a make-or-break World Twenty20 encounter.
The winner of Tuesday’s clash at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium will join India in the semi-finals from group two of the Super-10s, condemning the loser to an early flight home.
Mushtaq, the former Pakistan off-spinner, is a key member on the West Indies coaching staff as their spin bowling consultant for the tournament, and his advice has benefited the team immensely.
The West Indies, better known for its battery of fast bowlers, now boast of two of the finest spinners in Twenty20 cricket in Samuel Badree, who opens with the new ball, and Sunil Narine.
Mushtaq, the original master of the "doosra" - the off-spinner's version of the googly - has also proved a calming influence on the usually cavalier Windies batsmen, giving them tips on how to play the turning ball.
West Indies captain Darren Sammy said Mushtaq's serene presence and knowledge had proved a huge boost for his team, which will face a four-pronged Pakistan spin attack led by the prolific Saeed Ajmal.
"Mushtaq has a lot of experience on the slow wickets that one gets in Bangladesh," he said. "He's very calm guy who knows a lot about the game. He has been a good addition to our coaching staff."
Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez said Mushtaq was entitled to work with other teams - just like compatriot Mushtaq Ahmed was doing with England - but that did not worry his team.
"He was a world-class spinner," Hafeez said of Mushtaq, who retired 10 years ago with 208 Test and 288 one-day wickets. "But he does not have a magic formula, nor can he come and bowl himself.
"We believe in ourselves and I think our players are good enough to win the match," Hafeez told AFP.
The 37-year-old Mushtaq said he was delighted to work with the West Indies, but declined to predict the winner of Tuesday's match.
"It's a great opportunity and honour to be associated with such a great team like the West Indies," Mushtaq told reporters on Monday.
"I don't want to pick a winner, but the team which has better self-belief will win. My wishes are obviously with my team, which is the West Indies at the moment."
Mushtaq said it was a matter of pride that spinners were performing so well in Twenty20 cricket.
"In Badree and Narine, the West Indies have two very good spinners," he said. "Every team has a good spinner now. I really feel happy for them."
Both Pakistan and the West Indies blossomed late in the tournament after losing their opening games to India, who sailed through to the semi-finals as the only unbeaten team in the Super-10s.
Pakistan, the 2009 champions who made the semi-finals in all four previous editions, revived their fortunes with a 16-run win over Australia before thumping hosts Bangladesh by 50 runs.
The West Indies thrashed Bangladesh by 73 runs before a spectacular late assault by Sammy handed them a last-over win over Australia.
COMMENTS (4)
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saqlain should by tried for treason,...Leave Musharraf....
This WC is cooked for INDIA as the 50 over WC was......
bcci will never let Pakistan win - already they has menaged
He does not have the magic formula? before him cricketers barely care about the off spinners. "The Jalebi" which these days people called "Teesra" was invented by The Great Saqlain Mushtaq not Saeed Ajmal.