Bowling tips from a legend

Manama : A cricket clinic for aspiring young cricketers was conducted at the Gulf Air Club by former Pakistan Test cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq. He also visited the Pakistan Urdu School, Pakistan Club and the New Millenium School for similar events.

The 39-year old known for pioneering the ‘doosra’, a leg break delivery with an off-break action, passed on his advice and demonstrated to the youngsters how to practise it.

Mujtaba Nazir, Director of Cricket Development invited Mushtaq, who is from Lahore in Pakistan. The visit was supported by Youth Cricket Academy, KIMS Bahrain Medical Centre, Amidas/Nabeel Sheikh and IRS Cricket Academy.

“I am hoping that my visit to Bahrain will help the further development in the kingdom as so many youngsters have the enthusiasm for the game and great potential,” said Mushtaq.

Mr Mushtaq played 49 tests for Pakistan in tests and scored an unbeaten 101 for his only test century at the Jade Stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1991 and took 208 wickets with a bowling average of 29.83.

He has also claimed two hat-tricks, both against Zimbabwe, the first in 1996 and the second in 1999, the first Pakistani to do so at a World Cup.

He started his career back in 1994 with Pakistan International Airways in his native country and also turned out for Islamabad and Lahore at home and now resides in UK after playing for Surrey and Sussex.

“I was delighted and it was a pleasure to be invited to Bahrain to coach and give tips to the youngsters for their cricket development,” said Mushtaq

Mushtaq this season coached the England team spin bowlers Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Joe Root for the Test series this summer. “I will be with them again from November 1-15 when the team tour India.”

Looking back on his own career, Mushtaq says players like Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Zaheer Abbas, Abdul Qadeer from Pakistan, India’s Sunil Gavaskar, Bishen Bedi, England’s Graham Gooch and West Indians Garfield Sobers and Vivian Richards were a huge influence.

When asked about the present day players, Mushtaq says, “As a bowler, I respect Yasir Shah, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mitchell Starc and Dale Steyn. They are artists in what they do.”

On the major debate regarding the formats of the game, Mushtaq is adamant that testcricket and domestic cricket is the way forward, “The shorter forms are pure entertainment to attract more crowds, but at the end of the day a player needs the stamina, skills, temperament and be mentally ready to play if they want to succeed.” he said.