Saqlain's magic spell (26 July 1999)
Saqlain Mushtaq bewildered all the Hampshire batsmen last week who knew from the start that they faced a massive task: 233 runs were required with six wickets remaining on a dry surface that offered considerable turn and low bounce
26-Jul-1999
26 July 1999
Saqlain's magic spell
Vic Marks
Saqlain Mushtaq bewildered all the Hampshire batsmen last week who
knew from the start that they faced a massive task: 233 runs were
required with six wickets remaining on a dry surface that offered
considerable turn and low bounce. The little magician finished with
six for 44, his third five-wicket haul in four innings.
No longer are terrifying pacemen the most sought after overseas
players. Quality finger spinners like Saqlain - and Muttiah
Muralitharan - are a better bet. They take more than their quota of
wickets, they seldom get injured and, as Saqlain constantly
demonstrates, they love bowling.
He only had 90 minutes of work yesterday. For a while Robin Smith and
night watchman Peter Hartley, hinted that we might have a contest on
our hands. In between being dropped twice, Hartley, hinted that we
might have a contest on our hands. In between being dropped twice,
Hartley hit a sizzling back-foot drive past a startled Bicknell but
once he was LBW to a shooter, Hampshire soon disintegrated.
In Saqlain's next over Adrian Aymes, in his determination to impose
himself, top-edged a sweep to deep (though that's not very far at
Guildford) square leg.
John Stephenson was equally forthright; he hit Saqlain for a mighty
six and four boundaries, three of which were international. The little
Pakistani regrouped; he went around the wicket and quickened his pace
and soon Stephenson, misjudging the length and stuck on the crease,
was bowled.
Saqlain has taken 26 wickets in Surrey's last three games.
Source :: The Dawn (www.dawn.com)