Former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq is celebrating his 47th birthday today. Saqlain Mushtaq has one of the most distinctive legacies in international cricket, as he invented a particular kind of delivery, ‘the Doosra’ which garnered him wide recognition and a lot of success in international cricket. He served as the frontline spinner for Pakistan in both Test and ODI cricket for an extended period.
Saqlain Mushtaq made his international debut in a Test match against Sri Lanka in September 1995 at Peshawar. A few days later, the off-spinner was allowed to play his first ODI match against Sri Lanka at Gujranwala. The young spin bowler quickly became a crucial player for Pakistan, renowned for being a genuine wicket-taker capable of making breakthroughs at any stage of the game.
A Spin Legend
Saqlain Mushtaq is one of the greatest off-spinners that international cricket has ever seen. He was not only a legendary bowler but also contributed significantly to the art of spin bowling. Considered the first bowler to master the ‘Doosra’ delivery, which turns away from the batter, Saqlain Mushtaq popularized this delivery, making ‘Doosra’ a major weapon for off-spinners worldwide.
The 47-year-old played 49 Test matches for Pakistan, picking up 208 wickets at an average of 29.83. Throughout his Test career, he achieved 13 five-wicket hauls, reflecting his wicket-taking prowess. His stats in limited-overs formats were even more impressive than his records in Test cricket. The off-spinner participated in 169 One-Day Internationals, scalping 288 wickets at an exceptional average of 21.78. Although he played his last international match against India in 2004 at Multan, Saqlain Mushtaq left an indelible mark on international cricket before hanging up his boots. He will always be a figure looked up to by budding off-spinners globally, not just from Pakistan.