Saqlain sets sights on success

Saqlain Mushtaq is pleased to be back home at the Brit Oval

Saqlain Mushtaq wants to turn around Surrey's fortunes and take them back to where they were in their glory years.

Saqlain was instrumental in Surrey's success in the Benson and Hedges Cup of 1997 and 2001 and the championship titles they won in 1999, 2000 and 2002, and he is keen to help them return to winning ways.

"I am trying to bring the club back on that level," he told ecb.co.uk.

"I have been talking to myself saying, 'Saqi, you will give more than 100 per cent and try to bring the club to where it was a few years back, in all competitions'.

"I want to play top cricket and enjoy every moment. I'm not looking just for the four-day cricket, I want to play all forms and we have been discussing that.”

The off-spinner left Surrey in 2005 after eight years with the club, as knee injuries threatened to cut short his career.

But short stints with Ireland and Sussex gave Surrey the evidence they needed that their match-winner was back to his best and duly snapped him up for the 2008 campaign.

"I am feeling quite well and enjoying being back at the Oval," Saqlain said.

Saqlain was instrumental for Surrey in the championship

"My whole family is here and all the friends I have made in 10-12 years. I have come back and it feels like home.

"I'm fit and strong and waiting, desperate to play."

The 31-year-old forged a strong spin partnership with Ian Salisbury, when Surrey were at the height of their success and he is keen to replicate that with Chris Schofield.

"We have to," Saqlain confirmed. "Me and Chris had a long chat the other day, in a meeting which (coach) Alan Butcher called so that we could talk to each other.

"We had a good chat and we are looking forward to bringing back those memories."

Meetings have played a big part in Surrey's pre-season plans, as they aim to tackle the mental side of the game along with the physical.

"We've come in every day and all the boys have been working hard and helping each other," Saqlain enthused.

"We've been having a lot of meetings, talking about all the forms of cricket - four-day, one-day and Twenty20. Hopefully we will see the progress when the season starts."

The squad has changed quite a bit in the time in between his seasons with the club, but Saqlain is excited about what he has seen so far.

"There are a few people still here, Mark (Butcher), Ali Brown, Jimmy Ormond and Chris Lewis who has come back for the Twenty20, but the youngsters are really good," he added.

Mark Butcher and Saqlain are excited about the new season

"I've been watching them out in the nets and in the gym and the indoor school. They have been working hard.

"They are talented as well and have a lot of potential. It's been a nice pre-season because I have been learning from them a lot."

Surrey signed Murtaza Hussain, another Pakistani off-spinner, at the end of last season, and Saqlain confirmed that he is not above learning from his colleagues.

"I'm taking a lot of tips from Murtaza," he admitted. "We played together at Under-14 and Under-19 and in the domestic season.

"We have been talking about the strategy of playing on different pitches and how to bowl in cloudy weather. If we all work together, we can go to our destiny."

Captain Mark Butcher is also pleased with how pre-season training has been going and the general feeling about the dressing room.

He added: "There is a lot of confidence around and a lot of excitement.

"It feels like a new dawn for everybody. To carry on from where we left off last year (finishing fourth in the championship), everyone is really excited about that.

"The players learnt a lot about themselves and about us as a team.

"Add to that a few new faces and you get an exciting time for Surrey cricket."