31 Facts About Saqlain Mushtaq

Saqlain Mushtaq is a Pakistani cricket coach and former international cricketer who was the head coach of the Pakistani national cricket team between 2021 and 2022.

Saqlain Mushtaq is best known for pioneering the "doosra", a leg break delivery bowled with an off break action.

Saqlain Mushtaq was the fastest to reach the milestones of 200 and 250 wickets in ODIs.

Saqlain Mushtaq took 208 Test and 288 ODI wickets and scored a Test match century as well, against New Zealand in March 2001.

Until 2016, Saqlain Mushtaq was the fastest bowler in the history of ODI cricket to take 100 wickets.

Saqlain Mushtaq was born to a government clerk on 29 December 1976, in Lahore.

Saqlain Mushtaq has two elder brothers: Sibtain, who played first-class cricket for Lahore, and Zulqurnain.

Saqlain Mushtaq never played cricket at school level, but started playing for Zareef Memorial Cricket Club Second Eleven when he was only 13.

Saqlain Mushtaq played for the college and won the championship for three consecutive years.

Saqlain Mushtaq got married to Sana Mushtaq, a British Pakistani, in December 1998.

Saqlain Mushtaq represented Surrey for eight successive seasons from 1997 to 2004.

Later, in February 2007, Sussex announced that Saqlain Mushtaq had signed a two-year contract with them.

On 26 September 2007, Saqlain Mushtaq was released by the county on his request.

Saqlain Mushtaq took 64 wickets in his first season, including five 5-wicket hauls, to earn Whits promotion to the first division.

On 11 April 2013, it was announced that Saqlain Mushtaq would be joining Birmingham League Division Three Side Evesham for the 2013 Season.

Saqlain Mushtaq made his Test debut in September 1995 against Sri Lanka at Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar.

Saqlain Mushtaq picked up four wickets at an average of 26.75 in the match, and accumulated nine wickets in the series from two Tests.

Saqlain Mushtaq took nine wickets for 80 runs, earning him the man-of-the-match award and ensuring Pakistan's clean sweep against the touring side.

Saqlain Mushtaq took five-wicket hauls in both innings of the 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.

Saqlain Mushtaq ended the series with 20 wickets at an average of 20.15, which earned him the man-of-the-series award.

Saqlain Mushtaq was the highest wicket-taker of the series, accumulating 18 wickets with an average of 23.94.

Saqlain Mushtaq played 49 Test matches for Pakistan during 1995 and 2004 and accumulated 208 wickets at an average of 29.83.

Saqlain Mushtaq took 13 five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls, and his best performance for a match was 10 wickets for 155 runs.

Saqlain Mushtaq made his One Day International debut in September 1995 against Sri Lanka at the Municipal Stadium, Gujranwala.

Saqlain Mushtaq took five-wicket hauls in ODIs on six occasions.

Saqlain Mushtaq claimed two hat-tricks, both against Zimbabwe, the first in 1996 and the second in 1999, when he became the first Pakistani to do so at a World Cup.

On 28 May 2016, Saqlain Mushtaq was appointed by the ECB as England's spin consultant for the home series against Pakistan.

Saqlain Mushtaq is credited with the invention of the "doosra", an off-spinner's delivery bowled with an action similar to that of an off-break.

Saqlain Mushtaq became well known for this variation ball, which was integral to his success, although he received criticism for overusing it.

Saqlain Mushtaq used the teesra in the Indian Cricket League while playing for Lahore Badshahs.

Saqlain Mushtaq was the first batsman to get out from a teesra.