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Photo V.V.KRISHNAN

Doosra Magic A file picture of Saqlain Mushtaq

Former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq feels that it’s time he explore chances of playing for England since the Pakistan Board has not evinced any serious interest in his career.

The Pakistani spinner is in Hyderabad to play for Lahore Badshahs in the ICL. “In England, people keep asking me when are you playing for us? But in Pakistan no one seems to be interested ,” says Saqlain, who played 49 Tests taking 208 wickets. This 32-year-old off-spinner, acclaimed to be the first one to master the art of bowling the ‘doosra’, believes that playing for England seems to be more logical since his family has also been staying there and considering the fact that he is a regular player in English county cricket, first with Surrey and now with Sussex. However, Saqlain is a little worried about the possibility of the England Board too slapping a ban on those playing in the ICL. The wily spinner says that something is wrong with the Pakistan cricket. “Too many changes in the Board could be one of the major factors. But there is plenty of talent to be groomed,” Saqlain points out. What went wrong with his career? “Perhaps, the injury in 2004 when I was on crutches for six months was the turning point for the worse, as far as playing for Pakistan is concerned,” says Saqlain. How did he start on the ‘doosra’? “It started when I was playing for Pakistan International Airlines with Moin Bhai (Moin Khan) as captain behind the stumps. He used to repeatedly shout at me – isko doosra daal (bowl the doosra to him). That continued and commentators picked it up from the microphone and since then it was popularised. I enjoy the credit for mastering it,” says a pleased Saqlain.

On Sri Lanka’s Muralitharan, the Pakistani says that it is sheer jealousy on the part of those who say that his action is illegal. “No words can describe his feats. Like Sachin Tendulkar, he is an amazing cricketer,” compliments Saqlain.

The Pakistani, who has scalped 288 victims in 169 ODIs, feels he should be good enough for the Twenty-20 format too having played it for the first time when he was 14 in Pakistan domestic cricket. Saqlain welcomes the concepts of ICL and IPL. “Let us think of cricketers like Mohd Zahid whom Brian Lara rated as the fastest bowler he had ever faced, but who later faded away into oblivion. Every cricketer needs money to support his family,” the off-spinner emphasises .

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