Published: Mar 31, 2014, 06:00 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 31, 2014, 06:06 PM (IST)
Mirpur: Mar 31, 2014
Saqlain Mushtaq, the inventor of the doosra, has said that one must appreciate when a bowler brings something new into international cricket. With the advent of T20 cricket, new innovations have taken shape in all departments. The spinners have not only used the doosra but have also developed the carom ball, stopping actions among other things.
However, the legality of the doosra has been questioned for quite a while as some believe that the arm does bend when off-spinners have to resort to it. When the media asked Saqlain for his thoughts on the matter, he diplomatically said, “To be honest, I never think that way. I always praise and I always feel proud that someone is trying the doosra, or carom ball or anything new that is coming into international cricket, I feel good. This is International Cricket Council (ICC’s) duty, what they are saying (the legality). If they are saying everything is good, we should appreciate that.”
Saqlain introduced this delivery in the latter part of the 1990s and was amongst the most successful spinners in that era. He is happy that his name is always remembered when people speak about doosra. “I am thankful to god that I got the honour that people are taking my name with the doosra,” Saqlain said.
The former Pakistan off-spinner is now with the West Indies team as a spin-bowling coach. Recently, Shane Shillingford, the West Indian off-spinner was cleared to bowl. Speaking about Shillingford, Saqlain said, “I worked a little bit with Shane Shillingford before India series. He is a lovely chap, a hard working guy. He is cleared now and he is coming back now. All my wishes and prayers are for him. We should support him because he is such a talented cricketer.”
Shillingford, however, is not allowed to bowl the doosra anymore.
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