Worcestershire batter Kashif Ali is keen to develop the bowling side of his game and says sessions working with former Pakistan star Saqlain Mushtaq during this summer can only help his progress.
Kashif demonstrated his explosive potential with the bat in the Metro Bank One Day Cup in smashing 21 sixes – the most by anyone during the group stages.
But the 25-year-old is also relishing the opportunity to improve the spinning aspect of his game and has been picking the brains of Saqlain as he looks to develop into an all-rounder.
Kashif and the other spinners at New Road, including Josh Baker, have worked with Saqlain on several occasions at New Road.
He picked up 208 wickets in 49 Tests, plus another 288 in ODI internationals, and 833 in first class cricket.
Kashif said: “From a young age, I used to hear people call him a legend of the game and now I know why.
“We can talk to him all day about anything, and he will fully try and explain things to you and make sure you understood.
“I worked with him in the nets and he’s been brilliant and things he has said to me, no-one has ever said before.
“He has been helping my bowling to improve. He has been here a few times. He is watching you and things like how you grip the ball, how you release it, and stuff like that, he makes you try different things, and whichever you are comfortable with.
“I’ve watched him on Youtube and I’ve spoken to so many cricketers, friends in Pakistan who play domestic and international cricket and they’ve all said how good he was, and good he is as a coach.
“I love bowling as well. I want to be involved in the game as much as I can, try and help my team as much as I can.
“If you have got more than one string to your blow, for any player that is a bonus.”
