England has appointed former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq as their spin bowling consultant for the second Test at the Old Trafford after bamboozled by the Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah.
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf now believes that keeping Saqlain in England’s rank will help the host during the ongoing the series.
“Saqlain was one of the best spinner’s I saw and it is a good move by England as their batsmen had no clue about Yasir Shah in the first Test,” Yousuf said.
Saqlain has flown to England to give tips to Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali and help England batsmen how to counter leg spinner, Shah. Yasir has proved expensive on the fast day of the second match as he conceded 111 runs in 31 overs and has gone wicketless.
“He has been hired for this Test but I think the greatest short-term benefit may lie in him giving tips to their batsmen about how to play spin,” Yousuf said.
Since 2014 England squad is without a spin specialist. The last time England hired Mushtaq Ahmed, who is currently in the Pakistan dressing room.
The legendary Pakistan batsman said the Old Trafford pitch is good for batting but would take turn later on. “That is when Saqlain’s role will become important,” he added.
The legendary spinner was working with state-owned Pakistani Television channel before flying for England to help the host. Earlier Saqlain worked with West Indies and New Zealand cricket teams.
Saqlain also faced criticism as he takes up the job to help the opponent of his own country. But Saqlain told the Pakistani media in Manchester he is a professional and he can work any team of the world. “If I get a good assignment I have to render my services professionally.”
Yousuf also said that England has done right things no picking Adil Rashid for the second Test which began on Friday.
“I don’t think any spinner apart from Muttiah Muralitharan got our batsmen in trouble. And I think more than Rashid it will be Anderson, Broad, Woakes and Stokes who will test our batsmen at Old Trafford,” he said.