Saqlain took 208 wickets in 49 Tests for Pakistan

Former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq says he would like to play for England.

Saqlain, 31, who has played county cricket for Surrey and Sussex since 1997, has a British passport through marriage and qualifies in April.

"If they [England] call me, definitely I'll play," Saqlain, who played 49 Tests for Pakistan, told BBC London.

"I've been discussing with my family and friends and they've all been saying 'Saqqy, if they give you the chance, definitely go for it'."

Saqlain last played for Pakistan in 2004, the year in which he suffered a serious knee problem that effectively ruled him out of first-class cricket until the following season.

He has since been ignored by the Pakistan selectors, with Shoaib Malik usurping the spinner's spot in the one-day international line-up and Danish Kaneria becoming the front-line Test spinner.

"To be honest, I love my cricket and I want to play at the highest level," added Saqlain.

If I'm playing for a national team, for a country, I don't want to lose Saqlain Mushtaq

"I've been thinking about it because last year the press asked me the question and I said I'm looking after my body and my form at the moment.

"Obviously when I know this news is coming then definitely I'm ready for that and looking forward to it. We'll see what happens.

"If England needs you and asks you and you can't play with that passion, that's wrong. [But] If I'm playing for a national team, for a country, I don't want to lose."

Saqlain took 208 Test wickets for his country of birth at an average of 29.83 and also played 169 one-day internationals, claiming 288 wickets at 21.78.

He spent eight successful seasons at Surrey between 1997 and 2004 before joining Sussex, but re-signed for Surrey last October.