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The Oval a happy hunting ground for Saqlain

Saqlain Mushtaq showed that The Oval is one of his happiest hunting grounds as he did the hat-trick to crown Pakistan's World Cup Super Six victory over Zimbabwe on Friday.

Acknowledged as the world's best off-spinner, Saqlain has honed his skills at Surrey's headquarters while playing for the county as their overseas signing during the past two seasons.

No one in the Pakistan squad knows The Oval pitches better than Saqlain. He wrapped up Zimbabwe's innings for 123, to secure a 148-run victory, by snapping up their last three wickets in three balls.

Saqlain had Henry Olonga stumped by Moin Khan for five, removed Adam Huckle with another Moin stumping and then had Mpumeleo Mbangwa lbw, becoming only the second bowler to do the hat-trick in the 24-year history of the World Cup.

India's Chetan Sharma also performed the feat, against New Zealand at Nagpur in the 1987 tournament.

After learning the game in the back streets of his home city of Lahore, Saqlain has developed into a cricketer whose maturity and temperament belie his 22 years.

He captured a wicket with his seventh delivery in Tests, against Sri Lanka at Peshawar in the 1995-96 season, and has subsequently become equally adept at both first-class and limited-overs cricket. His best bowling in first-class matches was at The Oval, where he took eight for 65 against Derbyshire last season.

Agencies