"It was a case of self teaching. I would experiment with table tennis balls, trying different spinning techniques. We would practice on the rooftops of our house until I had perfected the delivery. I then tried the same technique with a cricket ball with success"

Before we start, on behalf of everyone at PakPassion.Net we'd like to thank Saqlain for taking time out to do this exclusive interview for PakPassion.Net 

Throughout his career Saqlain has tended to avoid the media and hasn't done many interviews with the press. So we really are privileged at PP to have gotten this interview with him. A lot of credit has to go to Saj for getting Saqi Bhai to agree!

Saj and Saqlain 

PakPassion.Net: Are you married and if so do you have any children?

Saqlain Mushtaq: Yes I'm married with 3 kids (2 girls and a boy). 


PakPassion.Net: Are you still living in London?

Saqlain Mushtaq: I've been living in London for a number of years, although both me and my wife originate from Lahore. I've also been given a house by Sussex in Brighton for when Sussex are playing home matches. 


PakPassion.Net: When is your current contract due to end with Sussex?

Saqlain Mushtaq: Current contract with Sussex is up until the end of next season. 


PakPassion.Net: Was Bob Woolmer in touch with you during his tenure as coach?

Saqlain Mushtaq: Yes Woolmer kept in touch for updates on my injury, however I am yet to hear from new coach Geoff Lawson or from new skipper Shoaib Malik. 


PakPassion.Net: Who has been the best coach you have worked under?

Saqlain Mushtaq: Richard Pybus. He is very intelligent and his knowledge of the game was exceptional.


PakPassion.Net: Who was the best captain you played under?

Saqlain Mushtaq: Adam Hollioake and Wasim Akram. Both were brave as skippers, attacking and they knew the game very well and how to get the best out of their players. Their decision making was generally good.


PakPassion.Net: Zahid or Akhtar. Who was the fastest?

Saqlain Mushtaq: I think whilst both were extremely quick at their peak. Zahid was quicker in my opinion. Its just sad that injury ruined his career.


PakPassion.Net: Who is the fastest bowler you have ever faced?

Saqlain Mushtaq: Brett Lee. It was during a spell in 2002 in Sharjah. The wicket was slow but Lee was bowling lightning quick at me.


PakPassion.Net: Who has been the toughest opposing batsman you have played against?

Saqlain Mushtaq: Aravinda de Silva, Tendulkar, Dravid, Steve Waugh, Ponting and Lara.


PakPassion.Net: What is your favourite ground and why?

Saqlain Mushtaq: The Oval. It holds so many happy and cherished memories for me.


PakPassion.Net: Which other sports do you play/follow?

Saqlain Mushtaq: Squash and Hockey. I enjoy watching both sports and also played both sports in my younger days.


PakPassion.Net: Name your non cricketing heroes?

Saqlain Mushtaq: Jahanghir Khan and Jansher Khan from Squash and Samiullah, Shahbaz senior and Saluhuddin from the world of hockey.


PakPassion.Net: How did you learn the doosra / Was it taught to you?

Saqlain Mushtaq: It was a case of self teaching. I would experiment with table tennis balls, trying different spinning techniques. We would practice on the rooftops of our house until I had perfected the delivery. I then tried the same technique with a cricket ball with success.


PakPassion.Net: Name your greatest cricketing moment?

Saqlain Mushtaq: It would have to be the Chennai Test Match in 1999 where I took 10 wickets including Tendulkar twice and we beat India by 12 runs from virtual defeat.


PakPassion.Net: Name your worst cricketing moment?

Saqlain Mushtaq: That would be Multan test match in 2004 against India when I was not fit and should not have been playing.


PakPassion.Net: What type of food do you enjoy?

Saqlain Mushtaq: Anything desi.


PakPassion.Net: How did you get into cricket?

Saqlain Mushtaq: My 2 elder brothers played cricket and I wanted to follow in their footsteps.


PakPassion.Net: Any upcoming players in Pakistan that we should look out for?

Saqlain Mushtaq: I havent been to Pakistan for nearly 18 months and havent really followed domestic cricket, so I wouldnt be able to give you any names.


PakPassion.Net: What are you hobbies and interests away from cricket?

Saqlain Mushtaq: Hockey, Squash and spending time with my family which I believe is very important.


PakPassion.Net: Is Geoff Lawson a good choice to coach Pakistan?

Saqlain Mushtaq: I dont really know too much about his coaching ability, but the PCB will have researched thoroughly before choosing him and only time will tell if he was the right choice.


PakPassion.Net: Would you like to coach at some point in the future?

Saqlain Mushtaq: Its not something I have thought about just yet as I'm just really keen to be fit and playing yet. I do some coaching masterclass sessions from time to time which I enjoy.


PakPassion.Net: Whats the best and worst things about Lahore?

Saqlain Mushtaq: The best would have to be the weather and the fruit and the worst thing would have to be the roads.


PakPassion.Net: Where did you study in Pakistan?

Saqlain Mushtaq: I studied at Muslim League High School and MAO College - both Lahore.


PakPassion.Net: In future would you like to settle in Pakistan or England?

Saqlain Mushtaq: Again I havent really thought about it properly yet, although of late I seem to be spending more time in UK than Pakistan.


PakPassion.Net: If England offered you the chance to play for them would you do it?

Saqlain Mushtaq: I'm unsure, as the most important thing for me at the moment is to play regularly for Sussex and take it from there. Graveney was at the Lancs v Sussex match and he asked if it was true that I was English qualified now.

PakPassion.Net: Wasim or Waqar who was better?

Saqlain Mushtaq: 2 great bowlers who it was a privelage to play in the same team with. It would be impossible to separate as to who was better as both on their day were capable of bowling teams out singlehandidly.


PakPassion.Net: Did you always want to be a cricketer?

Saqlain Mushtaq: My family wanted me to be a solictor, but I had my heart set on becoming a professional cricketer.


PakPassion.Net: Who are/were your best friends in the world of Cricket?

Saqlain Mushtaq: Mohamed Yousuf, Ian Salisbury, Ben Hollioake, Adam Hollioake, Azhar Mahmood, Salim Elahi, Mohamed Akram.


PakPassion.Net: What was it like to come face to face with Adam Hollioake recently when Sussex were playing for Essex?

Saqlain Mushtaq: We both said it was strange. It was like we were on the wrong team and should have been on the same team rather than opposing sides.