Saqlain considers England option

[ludhianvi]

So even he's thinking about it but with Monty there, I wonder if he will get in. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saqlain considers England option Cricinfo staff July 12, 2007 Saqlain Mushtaq, the Pakistan offspinner, could swap allegiances and play for England after finally relaunching his career following three years of serious knee problems. After marrying a British lady and gaining a British passport, Saqlain now has to complete his four-year qualification period, which he will do by next April, then he is eligible for England. He played the last of his 49 Tests against India in 2004 and feared his career could be over due to persistent knee injuries. "It's an exciting prospect to know I might also get a chance to play for England. But it is an option I will think about only after a successful comeback this season," he told Reuters. "There are many people who feel I should try to play for England and are pushing me to go for it. I am only 30. "But I am first concentrating on completing a good season without any more fitness problems. Let me first complete the season properly. Then see who is keener to play me and consider the best option. But playing for Pakistan has always been an honour for me." Whether Saqlain opts to try his luck with the three lions, or rekindle his international career with Pakistan, he is angry about the lack of the support he received during his time out of the game. "It hurts that no one bothered to just call me or ask me how I was doing," he said. "It was as if I didn't exist. I didn't care about them footing my medical bills but the moral support was never there." Saqlain's first serious outing for two years came against the touring Indians, at Hove, where he claimed four wickets. "It made me realise I am not finished as an international player yet," he said. "It now depends how desperate I am for the big comeback."

[Ram]

Why does every pakistani player worth his salt feel that he has been let down by his country ?

[observer1]

Why does every pakistani player worth his salt feel that he has been let down by his country ?

what a profound statement, ainam!

[Ram]

No.. not just Saqlain.. EVERY good player. Its as though playing for pakistan is like a curse ! The administrators have made a mockery of legends in Pak cricket. All of them went away with bad blood. Now , When inzamam is about to hang up his boots , they publish this scathing report of him being autocratic blah blah which led to the world cup debacle. And I initially was cynical of Saqlain consid the english option. But now i can understand. Who doesnt like to be treated with respect and dignity ? Having said that , it will be a HUGE embarrassment for Pak if saqlain plays for England. If a player dumps his nation for another , then there is no greater insult !

[ludhianvi]

perhaps England will him knighthood:cantstop:

[Ram]

" Last edited by observer1 : Today at 06:17 PM. Reason: id crisis"...:hysterical::hysterical:.. If my embarrassment serves as humor for you guys ,so be it ! :hysterical:

[Predator_05]

I wonder hwo Pakistani fans will react to this. If they can jeer an English-born Pakistani like Sajid Mahmood by calling him a traitor, what will they say about Saqlain ?

[observer1]

" Last edited by observer1 : Today at 06:17 PM. Reason: id crisis"...:hysterical::hysterical:.. If my embarrassment serves as humor for you guys ,so be it ! :hysterical:

hey, i was just making a pun out of 'mania' - i had initially typed 'sriram' and then changed it to 'ainam' - it wasnt intended to embarrass or hurt.

[kumble_rocks]

Saqlain will be behind ashley giles in the pecking order.

[gs]

Wondering if he would still sport a mullah beard? If does, vodafone (or whoever is sponsoring English team) now can have a logo there :tounge_smile:

[Ram]

hey' date=' i was just making a pun out of 'mania' - i had initially typed 'sriram' and then changed it to 'ainam' - it wasnt intended to embarrass or hurt.[/quote'] No issues bro... all in good humor ! :thumbs_up:

[The Outsider]

bumper missed this one in his Pakistan predictions - players defecting to play for Malaysia.