Ex Surrey legend, Saqlain Mushtaq has signed for Ireland as one of their overseas players for the 2006 season.

The move means that Saqlain will do battle against his old Club this May, when Surrey travel to Belfast for one of their Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy matches.

The 49 Test star has suffered from chronic knee problems
Saqlain Mushtaq since the half way point of the 2004 season when he was still with Surrey. After he was forced to withdraw from the rest of that season with the problem, Saqlain went through several knee operations in a bid to get back on the field.

He played a handful of games for Surrey at the back end of last season but clearly showed the effects of his surgery. However, after another winter of tireless work in the gym, all fingers are crossed for the Pakistani legend to get back to where he was as one of the world’s leading off-spinners.

Saqlain’s Surrey record speaks for itself. Majority of his 384 wickets were largely instrumental in the Club’s success in the mid to late 90’s that carried through until the end of Adam Hollioake’s reign as captain at the end of 2003. During that period, Surrey won nine trophies.

Last season, Saqlain, along with a host of other Surrey legends, was honoured by the Club with a new block of the ground being named after him.

Add to Del.icio.us Digg it share on Facebook (What is this?)

• Listen
• Watch