Saqlain Mushtaq reveals reason for accepting NZ assistant coaching role

Saqlain Mushtaq, the former Pakistani cricketer, has revealed why he accepted the assistant coaching role with the New Zealand cricket team.

According to Saqlain, when he received the offer to join the New Zealand cricket team as an assistant coach, he consulted his spiritual teacher for advice.

"When I had a call from New Zealand I told my spiritual teacher that the offer has come to me to help and support a young Kiwi team," Saqlain said while talking to Radio New Zealand.

"He (spiritual teacher) told me two things.... one, if you have the knowledge, do not keep it to yourself.

"Number two, he said that this whole world is ours and god never draws a line on the earth, so enjoy living in this world, help each other and care for each other

"From an Islamic point of view and for humanity you must pass on the knowledge."

Former Pakistan cricketer, Rashid Latif, had raised concerns about the timing of Mushtaq's appointment as New Zealand's assistant coach.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Latif stated that there should be a gap before Saqlain can take up a coaching role with a different team, similar to the rules in the corporate sector.

"There should be a gap of 6 months or so - just as corporate works when you switch, you are not allowed to join the counterpart company for a certain period of time," he said.

It is worth noting that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed him as the interim head coach of the national cricket team on September 6th, 2021, following Misbah-ul-Haq's resignation.

His contract was extended for a year in February 2022, owing to the team's impressive performance under his leadership.

However, he was removed from the responsibilities and then the New Zealand cricket team hired the 46-year-old, as their assistant coach for ongoing T20I and ODI series against Pakistan.