Veteran Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq recently listed his pick of current best spinners across the world. Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav are the two Indian spinners whom Mushtaq picked as two of the best spinners in modern-day cricket.
Saqlain Mushtaq, who invented the ‘doosra’, deceived many batsmen with his variations. The former cricketer believes that Nathan Lyon is currently the world’s best spinner as he is an all-conditions bowler, whereas Ashwin is more effective in home conditions. He also praised Kuldeep Yadav as he finds him to be a thinking bowler.
Two Indians in the list of best spinners of Saqlain Mushtaq
“In the longer version, I think Nathon Lyon is the best spinner in the world as he has performed against the majority of the top sides including India and Pakistan,” Mushtaq told Pakistan cricket.
“Ashwin is also a good bowler but in home conditions. In limited-overs cricket, Kuldeep Yadav is a really good spinner and he is well educated in a cricket sense,” he added.
Ashwin has played 77 tests for India, taking 362 wickets at an average of 25.36. He has also played 111 ODI’s and 46 T-20’s. Although Ashwin’s away record has been debatable, but when it comes to performance in home conditions, he has seldom disappointed.
On the other hand, Kuldeep Yadav has also become a regular feature in the limited-overs format, having played 59 ODIs and 21 T-20’s taking 102 and 39 wickets, respectively in both formats.
Moreover, Saqlain Mushtaq also backed Shakib-Al-Has as well. He finds the Bangladesh all-rounder to be a clever bowler. While talking about Pakistan cricket, he singled out key spinners – Shadab Khan and Yasir Shah.
“Shakib-Al-Hasan is a very clever bowler as well because I have seen him closely while working with Bangladesh.
In Pakistan, Shadab has a lot of potential and I think he can also be effective in Test cricket as well. Yasir Shah is a world-class spinner as well which is evident from his track record,” Mushtaq concluded.
