Cricket: Saqlain to advise Black Caps

Former Pakistan international Saqlain Mushtaq is working with the Black Caps spinners and batsmen. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand have enlisted former Pakistan offspinner Saqlain Mushtaq to help plot Sri Lanka's downfall in the two-test series starting this month.

Saqlain will work with the Black Caps spinners and advise batsmen on how to play the turning ball on dry pitches.

"New Zealand Cricket has an agreement with Saqlain Mushtaq, who will work with the Black Caps over the next 12 months," NZC spokesman Stephen Hill said yesterday.

"He will be working with both our bowlers and batsmen, usually for a few days at a time, during the team's international series over that period."

Saqlain, 32 and widely regarded as the inventor of the "doosra" - the offspinner's googly that turns left after pitching - last played for Pakistan in 2004.

He claimed 208 wickets in 49 tests at an average of 29.83, and 288 wickets in 169 one-day internationals.

Saqlain played English county cricket for 11 years for Surrey and Sussex before being forced to quit after signing with the unauthorised Indian Cricket League.

"Spinners would play a prominent role in Sri Lanka; they would have a say in nearly 80 per cent of the game," Saqlain told the Cricinfo website.

"My role would also be to speak about how to attack the batsmen in different situations. We have to be careful as to what needs to be learned and taught," he added.

Saqlain will work with skipper Daniel Vettori and Jeetan Patel, the two spinners in New Zealand's squad.

The first test starts in Galle on August 18, followed by the second on August 26. New Zealand will also play two Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka. India will join the duo for a limited overs series from September 8.

- NZPA