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No reason why the England selectors shouldn't welcome Saqlain

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Pablo Luna - Moonlighting for Betfair. Pablo tackles the question of eligibility through residence and considers whether Saqlain is still good enough to play for England in the first place

Saqlain Mustaq's (born 29 December 1976 Lahore, Punjab) last appearance for Pakistan was in 2004 and he has now expressed a desire to play for England. Should he be allowed to play for his adopted country? Yes! Why? He is a British resident and citizen and has a British passport. If you say no, should Kevin Pietersen, Graham Hick, and Alan Lamb have played for England? I empathise with those who have misgivings because he has played for another country at Test Cricket.

If, and it is a big if, he regains his old form and fitness, does he deserve to play for England? He is clearly a far better spin bowler than Panesar (who has lost his way and not kicked on) and Swann. Is it ethical? Should we be thinking of a successful England side? For once I truly find it difficult to draw a line but because of its legality I accept him, what do you think?

He is the holder of a British passport because of marriage to an English girl. He legally qualifies as an England-eligible player in April 2008 after a four-year residency qualification period ends. Naturally he declares that he wants to play at the highest level possible and that is no longer likely with Pakistan especially after their lack of concern for him regarding his serious knee injury. Those were his words not mine!

Saqqy is a cricketing genius and it is a disgrace that someone with his ability has been discarded and consigned to the scrap heap at such a young age for a spinner. He is a trend-setter and was the first off spinner to master the doosra. It is generally regarded as his invention! Some have seen him as a revolution in the art of attacking off-spin bowling, reintroducing the need for off-spinners in the one-day game. Apart from the doosra he bowls a beautiful drifter away from the right hander. Some say he tries to bowl too many variations thus loses the element of surprise.

The 31-year-old has taken 208 wickets in 49 Tests for Pakistan and has played in county cricket for Surrey, Sussex and Ireland. He was the fastest to reach the milestones of 100, 150, 200 and 250 wickets in ODIs. Apart from taking wickets, his superb control allows him to bowl equally effectively during bowling restrictions or at the death, something rarely seen with an off spinner. He holds the record for taking the most amount of ODI wickets in a calendar year. He is also a more than a useful tail-ender with a Test Century to his name.

http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/player/42628.html

His former country Pakistan play Zimbabwe on Monday 21 January 2008 at Karachi with the lucky Danish Kaneria holding his place in the team. I do not think Danish is a fraction of the cricketer that Saqqy is and therefore Pakistan are devalued! Betfair prices in the first ODI show Pakistan [1.08] with Zimbabwe [11.5]. I am on record as saying that Zimbabwe do not have the right to contest the match but now that it is taking place, I will not get involved financially in this match. I see no value on either team at these prices. Better to wait for confirmation of team selection then pick one of Pakistani's openers to fill their boots.

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