The new spin master: England to use Pakistani weapon against India
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has appointed former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq as a spin consultant to the national cricket team for its upcoming tour of India.Saqlain will reach India on November 1 and remain with the English team for 15 days, helping them prepare for a Test series, which is expected to be played on spin friendly pitches. The five-Test series is starting on November 9. The off-spinner toured India in 1999 with the Pakistan team and shone with ball in the Test matches to help his team win in Chennai and Kolkata with a bagful of wickets. 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.
pk.shafaqna.com
