The forthcoming India vs England is scheduled to commence from 9th of November. The fast arriving test series has fastened up its preparation. That was evident from ECB’s (The England and Wales Cricket Board) confirmation upon appointment of former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq as a spin consultant to their national cricket team for its upcoming tour of India.
Saqlain will land upon Indian soil on November 1 and will remain intact with the English team for 15 days. The five days test series is analyzed to be played on spin friendly pitches suggesting Saqlain Mushtaq’s deputation.
“I have been entrusted the task of helping the English spinners prepare for the series in India where normally pitches help the spinners,” he said.
“I will also be giving tips to the English batsmen on how to counter the Indian spinners on their home pitches. It should be a challenging assignment,” Saqlain added.
It’s after a long time, that Saqlain will trek to India. In year 1999 he came to India with the Pakistan team and left every one astonished with his balls. It was his deliveries that assisted his team win in Chennai and Kolkata with a bagful of wickets.
“I am hopeful my advice will be helpful the England players in India,” he said.
Saqlain, who is based in the United Kingdom, said he had no concerns over travelling to India despite the ongoing tensions between the two countries.
“I am not expecting any negative reaction in India to my presence there,” he said.
Despite being a British national now, when asked about his own security fears due to disturbed relations between India and Pakistan, Saqlain said that he didn’t expect any problems in India since he would be part of the touring contingent, which would be given foolproof security in India.Credited with inventing the “Doosra” delivery, Saqlain has worked as spin consultant with the West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and England teams in the past.
It has been observed that Saqlain Mushtaq doesn’t share a very good bond with Pakistan. Last year, when Saqlain helped the England team during its series against Pakistan in the UAE he faced taunts of ‘traitor’ from some quarters.
Ironically he has never got a permanent coaching assignment from the Pakistan Cricket Board.