Saqlain Mushtaq, the pioneer of 'doosra', is immensely proud that the delivery will always be associated with his name and also want people to stop questioning its legality as ICC never had any problems with it.
"I always feel proud when somebody bowls a doosra or a carrom ball. If any new variation is coming into world of cricket, I feel good about it. This is ICC's duty to look (into the legality) and if they are saying everything is good, then we should appreciate that," Saqlain, now working as spin consultant with the West Indies team told during a media interaction here today.
"I thank God when they mention doosra and they mention my name along with it. It's an honour that my name is associated with that delivery. I never thought about what controversies were there. I never thought about all these things like half-sleeves and full sleeves," Saqlain answered to a query on Ravichandran Ashwin's recent statements about offies wearing full sleeves getting unfair advantage.
With a long beared and a bespectacled look, the veteran of 49 Tests and 188 ODIs was full of catchy dialogues as he spoke on how he is supporting one team and that is the West Indies.
"Obviously, my wishes are with my team and it's West Indies at the moment. And from a religious point of view, it is a part of my faith, part of my belief and I have to be honest and I will be honest. The logo that I am wearing (points at WICB crest) on my jersey is not an external thing.
"It's in my heart. If I remove it, then I will feel as if I am naked. My integrity is towards the West Indies," Saqlain said when asked if he was torn between head and heart as Pakistan will face West Indies tomorrow.
What does he tell his spinners about tackling opposition batsmen? "Well, I can't reveal strategy but I tell my players (WI) that with one eye, you should check your strengths. With the other eye, you should be judging the weaknesses of your opposition."
Asked about India's spin duo of Amit Mishra and Ashwin bowling well, Saqlain didn't fail to remind that his team also has Sunil Narine and Samuel Badree, who are ranked Nos 1 and 2 in the list of T20 bowlers in ICC rankings.
