PAKISTANI Test off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who enjoyed a prolific career with Surrey, looks likely to sign for Somerset as a temporary replacement for Murali Kartik. Kartik will miss out on the opening half dozen County Championship matches because of his involvement in the Indian Premier League T20.
Mushtaq, who is 34-years-old, has an impressive first class record, capturing 833 wickets at an average of 23.56, and in one day cricket he has taken 478 at 23.55.
Brian Rose, Somerset’s director of cricket, said: “If Kartik does well in the IPL then he may not be back until the back end of May by which time six of our Championship games will have been played.
“I’m keen to make sure that we have as much quality in the side as possible and Mushtaq’s name came up in early December. He is a distinct possibility because he has an outstanding record for an off spinner.”
Rose added: “We know he is a quality bowler, but has had injury problems over the last couple of years. As a short term replacement he could be a very interesting proposition for us though.”
Mushtaq will travel to the Carribean with Somerset as a bowling coach and has been taking part in training at the County Ground since mid December.
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