I Just Don’t Know How to Work With the PCB – Saqlain Mushtaq
Oct 17, 2017 at 11:10 AM
Spin legend Saqlain Mushtaq might have been phenomenal with work with England’s spinners, but it seems his heart is keen to help his native country.
The former Pakistan spin spearhead, however, is disheartened with the way the appointments are done by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
“I just don’t know how to work in a system, where “Sifarish” (recommendation) and political connections get you a job,” Saqlain said in an interview to the “Express” newspaper.
“I don’t feel disappointed at not being given a job by the Pakistan board. I feel disheartened at the way the system works and what you need to do to get a job,” he added.
Saqlain, who is currently working as a spin consultant with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), has done a remarkable job with the England spinners especially Moeen Ali who gave some sizzling performances in the last few months on unfriendly pitches.
Earlier in August, Moeen had hinted that Saqlain could bag a permanent coaching role.
“That’s not too far from the future,” he had said. “I know we had him in India, but it’s taken a bit of time for me to understand him and him to understand me. He has been amazing for me in terms of helping with my fields, helping me understand my bowling a lot more than I had done previously and I think that has been the biggest difference.
“Before, I just bowled. I didn’t really think too much. I let the captain set the field. Saqlain has helped me understand my action, field settings and the type of batsmen. Things like that can make a big difference,” he had added.
Meanwhile, Saqlain further said that he had been advised to either criticise the board or use political connections to land a job with the Pakistan team.
“I can’t do these things. My qualification, experience and the cricketing background is there for everyone to see. I have worked with the Australian Cricket Centre of Excellence. I have been hired as a spin consultant by the New Zealand, Bangladesh and West Indies cricket boards. I am a Level-3 coach in England. I shouldn’t need to do such things to get a job in Pakistan cricket,” Saqlain mentioned.
At the same time, the former off-spinner, who took 208 Test and 288 ODI wickets for Pakistan, said that he would love to work with Pakistan spinners especially leg-spinner Yasir Shah.
“I would love to work with the Pakistan spinners and produce some good bowlers,” he said.
“Yasir’s performance speaks for itself, but I still feel he needs to work and improve in some areas. He needs to master the leg-spin. He is a hard-working person, and he is dedicated and passionate. He just needs a little guidance,” he added.
When asked what would he do to get a job from the PCB, he said: “I would like to just apply for a post and submit my CV which speaks for itself. I am the most qualified coach in Pakistan.”