Saqlain considers England option

It's been a long while since Saqlain Mushtaq has wheeled away in international cricket © Getty Images

Saqlain Mushtaq, the Pakistan offspinner, could swap allegiance and play for England after finally relaunching his career following three years of serious knee problems.

After marrying a British citizen and gaining a British passport, Saqlain now has to complete his four-year qualification period, which he will do by next April, before he is eligible to play for England. He played the last of his 49 Tests against India in 2004 and feared his career could be over due to persistent knee injuries.

"It's an exciting prospect to know I might also get a chance to play for England. But it is an option I will think about only after a successful comeback this season," he told Reuters. "There are many people who feel I should try to play for England and are pushing me to go for it. I am only 30.

"But I am first concentrating on completing a good season without any more fitness problems. Let me first complete the season properly, then see who is more keen to play me and consider the best option. But playing for Pakistan has always been an honour for me."

Whether Saqlain opts to try his luck with England or rekindle his international career with Pakistan, he is angry about the lack of the support he received during his time out of the game.

"It hurts that no one bothered to just call me or ask me how I was doing," he said. "It was as if I didn't exist. I didn't care about them footing my medical bills but the moral support was never there."

Saqlain's first serious outing for two years came against the touring Indians at Hove, where he claimed four wickets. "It made me realise I am not finished as an international player yet," he said. "It now depends how desperate I am for the big comeback."