Saqlain hired as England's spin consultant for India tour

Saqlain Mushtaq will reach India on November 1 and remain with the English team for 15 days, helping it prepare for the five-Test series, which will start on November 9.

Published : Oct 25, 2016 16:17 IST , Karachi

Last year Saqlain Mushtaq worked with the England team during its series against Pakistan in the UAE.
Last year Saqlain Mushtaq worked with the England team during its series against Pakistan in the UAE.
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Last year Saqlain Mushtaq worked with the England team during its series against Pakistan in the UAE.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has appointed former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq as the team's spin consultant for its upcoming tour of India.

Saqlain will reach India on November 1 and remain with the English team for 15 days, helping it prepare for the five-Test series, which will start on November 9.

“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.

The off-spinner, in 1999, helped Pakistan win Tests in Chennai and Kolkata.

“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 isn't concerned about 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.

Saqlain, now a British national, said 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.

Ironically he has never got a permanent coaching assignment from the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Last year Saqlain worked with the England team during its series against Pakistan in the UAE.

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