ST JOHN'S, Antigua, (CMC):

Former Pakistan player Saqlain Mushtaq is to conduct a spin bowling clinic for current and emerging West Indies cricketers in Barbados next week.

Mushtaq, now a spin bowling consultant, has been contracted by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to work with 12 male spin bowlers from various age groups along with three West Indies female cricketers.

upskilling of players

The three-week clinic has been organised at the request of West Indies head coach Ottis Gibson as part of the general upskilling of both active international players and players who are likely to come into contention for West Indies selection.

Sunil Narine and Samuel Badree (participation in the Champions League T20) and Nikita Miller (pre-arranged personal engagement) were considered for participation in the clinic but are not available.

Miller will depart with the West Indies 'A' Limited Overs squad to India as scheduled.

Permaul and Nurse will leave the clinic on September 10 for departure to India with the West Indies 'A' Limited Overs squad. Shillingford will depart the clinic on September 20 to join the West Indies 'A' Team in India for the 'Test' series.

The participants were selected by the WICB Selection Panel, chaired by Clyde Butts.

Mushtaq, widely regarded as the pioneer of the now famous doosra, played 49 Tests and 169 one-day internationals, taking a total of 496 wickets over a nine-year international career. He also serves as spin bowling consultant to Bangladesh.

The WICB said it attempted to engage legendary former West Indies spinner Lance Gibbs to co-facilitate the clinic, but he was not available.