Saqlain Mushtaq (born December 29, 1976 in Lahore, Punjab) is a Pakistani cricketer, regarded as one of the finest off spin bowlers of all time. He is best known for pioneering the "doosra", which he employed to great effect during his career. Saqlain has not been active in international cricket since 2004.

Career

Saqlain made his international debut in September 1995 playing against Sri Lanka at Peshawar. He picked up four wickets at an average of 26.75 in the first test of the series. The highlight of his Test career came in the away series against India in January/February 1999, where he achieved his first ten wicket haul in a test match. In the first test, with India needing only 17 runs to win, Saqlain effectively sealed Pakistan's win by taking the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar who had scored 136. He ended the series with excellent figures, taking twenty wickets at an average of 20.15, which earned him the Man of the Series award.

Domestic career

Saqlain represented Surrey for eight successive seasons, from 1997 to 2004. However, his time there was interrupted and his international career with Pakistan effectively ended when he suffered a serious knee injury in 2004.

Playing style

Saqlain is credited with the invention of the "doosra", an off-spinner's delivery which is bowled with an action very similar to that of an off-break. However, it spins in the opposite direction (i.e. from the leg side to the off side), easily confusing batsmen, making it a very effective weapon. Saqlain became well-known for this variation ball, which was integral to his success, although he received criticism for overusing it.

His other variation was the arm-ball, which again uses a similar action to the off-break, but causes the ball to go straight on without turning.

During his time at Surrey, Saqlain worked on developing new deliveries which he calls the "teesra" and the "chotha". However little else is known about these deliveries.