Badree praises Saqlain's influence

Samuel Badree, the West Indies legspinner, has called Saqlain Mushtaq a "calming influence" on the side. The former Pakistan offspinner is here in Bangladesh for the World T20 as part of the West Indies coaching group.

Badree said that more than his technical inputs, it was Saqlain's ability to remain calm and offer his advice on how to read a batsman's mind that were helping the West Indies bowlers.

"To be honest Saqi has been a wonderfully calming influence on the team," Badree said ahead of West Indies' match against Australia. "He is one who does not get worked up or anxious over any situation. He does not panic at all and I think his calming influence more so than any technical skills that he may impart has been doing wonders not only for myself but all the bowlers as well.

"He is someone who sits and analyses the game. He can work out a situation very well. As I said there's not too much technical stuff but it is the calming presence and his advice at various stages and how to work out batsmen, the signs that batsmen give to you so that you know what they are thinking. Those are important things, especially in this format where batsmen are aggressive towards you."

Saqlain was brought in to help West Indies' spinners after a clinic at the WICB High Performance Centre last year and has also worked with Bangladesh recently. Ahead of last month's limited-overs series against England, West Indies left-arm spinner Nikita Miller had also said that Saqlain's tips would help him prepare. Darren Sammy, the West Indies captain, agreed that Saqlain's serenity and knowledge had been a boost for West Indies.

"Saqlain comes in with a lot of experience especially here in Bangladesh," Sammy said. "He's very calm guy, knows a lot about the game. He has been a good addition to our coaching staff. If he could work on improving the quality we have in our spinning department, and yet keep the dressing room calm and cool like we normally are, it will be a plus for us."