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Saqlain Mushtaq - Source: Photosport -
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Saqlain Mushtaq pats the silver fern on his sleeveless pullover, an indication of where his allegiance lies before Pakistani ex-teammates take on the cricket side he now assists - and supports.
Any suggestion the 49-test offspinner might be conflicted ahead of the three-test series between New Zealand and his homeland was given short shrift on the eve of day one at University Oval on Tuesday.
The last time Saqlain played a test - against India at Multan in 2004 - he was alongside current captain Mohammad Yousuf and Imran Farhat.
In an earlier series against South Africa this tour's vice captain, Kamran Akmal, kept wicket and Faisal Iqbal was in the middle order.
But Saqlain, 32, has put their friendships on hold while he serves a third secondment to New Zealand's fluid coaching set-up.
Saqlain, who claimed 208 test wickets, has been co-opted to brief New Zealand's fragile batting order on the threats posed by offspinner Saeed Ajmal and the leggie Danish Kaneria.
New Zealand first tapped Saqlain's expertise during June's ICC World Twenty20 in England; two months later he was in Sri Lanka advising the batsmen on how to decipher the mysterious Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis.
Muralitharan would not be denied - the world's record test wicket taker still claimed 13 scalps in the two test series. But new sensation Mendis was limited to four for 135 in Galle and was dropped from the final test in Colombo.
Saqlain was in Queenstown to assist an Invitation 11 in their tour match against Pakistan last week and will be a fixture at New Zealand's net practices until the second test in Wellington starting December 3.
The ribbing from his old mates has started already, not that it bothers Saqlain, who has no qualms about contributing to Pakistan's downfall.
People have asked how Saqlain's felt since Pakistan arrived - he said professionalism and his Islamic faith left him at ease.
"I think in our religion..where you are working, you have to be 100 percent honest, that is really helping me," he said.
"It's an honour to be with the Kiwis. I'm not thinking that part (Pakistan), I'm just thinking this side."
Yousuf and Akmal gave him a little good natured grief but deep down they accepted he has a cricketing life outside the middle.
"They understand it's a game and you have to be professional and 100 percent honest to the job."
Saqlain has also offered an insight into the Pakistani mindset as they prepare for a test.
"I passed on that information," he said, "I had to."
His focus is again on helping the batsmen read opposing spinners out of the hand rather than off the pitch - when it can be too late.
Saqlain's role in the Pakistan team has been inherited by three-test rookie Ajmal, who has 14 wickets at 30.07 from his debut series in Sri Lanka.
Late bloomer Ajmal, 32, will play tomorrow ahead of Kaneria but the Pakistan camp were unconcerned about any tips Saqlain might pass on to blunt his effectiveness.
"There are differences between him (Saqlain) and Ajmal, they bowl the doosra differently," said coach Intikhab Alam.
Yousuf smiled when asked about Saqlain's career change.
"We used to room together when I was first in the team. I've learned a lot from him as well," he said.
"He has a lot of achievements. I have a lot of respect for him,
always."
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