‘I am always available for Pakistan’

Saqlain Mushtaq emphasises on grooming ‘mystery’ spinners.

KARACHI:

The inventor of ‘doosra’ and a great off-spinner of his time, Saqlain Mushtaq said that he is still available to impart his experience to the players if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decides to hire his services in the future.

Saqlain and Mushtaq Ahmed had a close contest for the spin consultant slot advertised by the PCB but the former leggie was appointed on a two-year contract.

When asked whether he will be willing to work with the PCB if the board decided to call him in short specialised camps for spinners, the former player replied that he will definitely work on such projects if approached by the board.

“I’ve travelled all over the world for short specialised camps and will be willing to work for Pakistan as well,” Saqlain, who has had coaching stints with the West Indies, New Zealand and Bangladesh, told The Express Tribune from England.“I’m always available for Pakistan cricket. I’ve done such specialised camps in Australia along with Shane Warne, so if asked in future I would have no problem working with Mushtaq.”

‘My best wishes are with Mushtaq’

Saqlain, who has represented Pakistan in 49 Tests and 169 ODIs said that his wishes are with Pakistan’s newly appointed spin consultant.

“My best wishes are with Mushtaq. I never took the selection as a competition between us when we were shortlisted,” commented Saqlain.

“He has been a great contributor for Pakistan and I hope he will create an impact through his knowledge of the game.

“He has done really well with England and I’m sure that he will use that experience to help Pakistani spinners improve.”

‘Mystery spinners are the new deal’

Surfacing from nowhere, then performing for PIA and ending up playing for Pakistan team, Saqlain’s quick success was down to being a mystery spinner, something he feels has become an important tool for different teams.

“Mystery spinners are now playing a big role in international cricket and several countries started work to find them two decades back,” he highlighted.

“Meanwhile, in Pakistan the case is different because we have not gone on to search for such bowlers.

“There is a proper process followed all over the world where such bowlers are scouted, identified, looked after and then refined to do well in international cricket. But in Pakistan we wait for such players instead but still are lucky to have natural talent coming up.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16^th, 2014.

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