Whatever happened to Saqlain?

Saqlain was the best off spinner in the world right from his debut till a few years later. In the ODI format especially, nobody (not even fast bowlers) could come near him as the most valuable bowler for a number of years.
He collected a number of records - fastest to 100 wickets, fastest to 200 wickets - and his economy rate was pretty special too. Add to this his ability to successfully bowl at the death and his brave batting and Pakistan had an asset for many many years to come. Waseem Akram had unshakable faith in Saqi and he very rarely let his captain down. He also invented the doosra which was taken up by other off spinners later.
But then, suddenly he lost his permanent place in the team and started appearing periodically and a little later, not at all. Whatever happened to him?
It appears he is not playing the first grade even in England. Has he become that bad? Any ideas why? Have the batsmen studies him so well as not to have any difficulties against him?
I will appreciate any theories explaining Saqi's sudden fall from grace!
Is it about cricket alone or has the waning of Waseem Akram's power over the team anything to do with it?

hes with tableeghi jamaat cmae to great harwood my home town and our masjid

trust me to be in denmark


both my brother met him, very nice guy they were saying

but unlikely to make a comeback

he was accompanied by junaid jamshed

He did play 1day cricket this year for ireland. To be honest, i dont think he has that much desire left for cricket anymore. He came other day to blackburn and did a bayan. I didnt go but my mate did and he told my mate it doesnt bother him too much playing for pakistan again, hes just sooo happy hes on the right path etc.

So his departure from the cricket team is related to his increased religious tendencies?

he was at our masjid n great harwood all day saturday the weekend b4

i think

my brother was saying he goes my mission in life ahs changed and he was humble but u knever know

i think that and also his knees and form have played factors

Thats exactly what my mate said and he also said hes a very nice, down 2 earth guy. Whatever happens, may Allah keep him happy.

By the way jive bro, have u been to this years mela?

I see. Thank you JJP and AsifK.
I wish Saqi success in whatever he does. On a personal note, Saqi is very close to my heart because for reasons unknown to even myself, I have never backed the personal successes of any player more than I have done for Saqi and Saeed Anwer. True, I have been a pretty die hard fan of the likes of Akram, Waqar, Miandad, Imran, Inzi and the rest, but these two players have always been special for me.
That both of them are on the right path is nothing but good news to me!

im in dnemark bro studying on an exchange programme for my university

so missed meeting saqi

and the mela although not a big fan i think its full of prats

Thats very true, afew too many heroes me says.


Anyway im the same momo, saqi and anwar alongside afridi are my alltime favourite players. They wernt just class players but they are great people and great ambassadors for pakistan.

yes Asif,
The three you mention inspire respect not only for their cricketing skills but also for their personalities and carisma.

Saqlain has lost his place because of physical reasons... but his desire to follow the right path is a good one. In fact it would make him a better cricketer (like Inzy has been much better) but the PCB doesnt see that.. .PCB thinks that he may not be as focused anymore.... A La Saeed Anwar/Mushy

Saqlain Mushtaqs decline started when he started using the doosra excessively. He and Murli were level at one point. But the fact of the matter is Saqlain's Doosra is much easier to pick and read then Murli. Most batsmen got used to him and knew what was coming out of his hand. After that i dont think his bowling had much to offer. Murli because of his action most batters struggle to understand what he is going to bowl next.

If Saqi is happy in his religous activities then i am happy for him. Atleast he has found peace. But i dont think he can succeed in international cricket anymore unless he introduces more variety in his bowling and isnt easy to pick.

Saqi's transformation from London girly-boy to holy man preacher is remarkable. All that bowling for Surrey has killed his career

My theory, though it would appear to you all slightly tangential and little bearing upon the questions at hand, suggests that Effort by Saeed ANwar and later his dismissal from the squad merely for his bearded face, of course to show the soft image of Pakistan to the western world, flourished the notion that Eternal Success lied in Hundred percent submission to Allah.

But it (above-propounded theory) gives rise to a controversial question as to whether association with Religion is so detrimental to a Sportsman's performance?? Answer to this rhetorical Question is No. Instead when he wanned in his performance, rather than pining at the loss of his Hey Days, he showed the patience which is called for from a True Muslim, To always look towards what is really meant anything. Momin doesnt stand the entitlement to this title until he fully obviates himself of this Repining business.

saqlain's career has been ended by religion

Looking forward to reading GGMs learned views on this.

it is sad to think tha his career is over, in his prime he was as good if not better than shane warne and murali

keep writing off saqlain...

I saw hes interview other day and hes said he still wants to play for pakistan he has to prove hes fitness and he said hes aim is the world cup.
also he said hes nonstop cricket for 10yrs has contributed to hes injuries.
Insha'Allah make dua that we see him back in the pak team again and back to hes old best.

as u heard me asking mushy on radio - mushy says once fully fit nothing can stop him.

ppl forget saqi is one of all time greatest from ANY country - ppl should back him and support him and not write him off - saqi is such a fighter - lesser men would have retired long back.

No doubt about that. Saqi was the King once. He was the man. He still is my man. He has given innumerous happy moments to us and we are very thankful to him.
Wish him all the best! If he can make it back, there will be nothing better than that!