England bowler Saqib Mahmood opens up on his stunning triple-wicket maiden against India after return to international cricket 

Saqib Mahmood has endured plenty of frustration at the start of 2025, so no wonder he couldn’t quite comprehend how well things went on his return to international cricket.

Mahmood, 27, returned to England colours in stunning fashion on Friday, claiming a triple wicket maiden including the prize scalp of India captain Suryakumar Yadav, silencing Pune and leaving himself in a state of disbelief.

‘One of the boys was like “why aren’t you celebrating?” I said: “Because I can’t believe what’s going on.” I knew Sky was out but I just couldn’t believe it. Everything I tried was working,’ he said.

It followed a testing spell off the field for the likeable Lancashire bowler, whose Pakistani heritage needlessly but predictably delayed the granting of his Indian visa until the last minute, leaving him grounded when his team-mates headed for a pre-tour camp in the United Arab Emirates.

He also arrived here heavily under the weather: ‘It was proper flu. I’ve never been that ill in my life, I was wiped out for a week, and the boys are p*****g me off, telling me to stop coughing.’

What bowling he was able to do with his county colleagues before jetting here for a Twenty20 series England trail 3-1 ahead of today’s final match also had restrictions. With Emirates Old Trafford having new lights fitted in the indoor school, they were re-routed to Total Cricket in Ashton, a venue not big enough to accommodate his full run-up.

Mahmood claimed a triple wicket maiden including the prize scalp of India captain Suryakumar Yadav

‘That was the last nail in the coffin. I had things planned out and I wanted to get to India in a place where I didn’t really have to train, but it was the complete opposite,’ Mahmood said.

Nevertheless, having taken the man-of-the-series award in the Caribbean last November after finishing with figures of 15-1-95-9 against West Indies, he was disappointed not to be picked in the first three matches here.

‘If you find a player who’s happy with not playing then they’re in the wrong industry,’ he explained.

‘You always want to play but I’m never the kind of person to sulk around or show that in the dressing room, I try to be the best team-mate I can and help out where possible.’

This is Mahmood’s first involvement under Brendon McCullum as England coach, having suffered a stress fracture of the back in the weeks between playing two away Tests versus West Indies three years ago and the New Zealander taking over.

And despite agreeing a specialist limited-overs county contract last autumn, he has not given up on adding to those Test caps within an upcoming 12-month period that includes the Ashes.

‘I’ll be playing Championship cricket at the start of the season – maybe not the first couple of games but I’m putting a plan in place with Lancs,’ he explained, opening up the possibility of forming a new-ball alliance with Jimmy Anderson.

‘That contract was a reflection that if my body’s not up to it then I’m not getting money from Lancashire to play red-ball cricket.

It was Mahmood’s first involvement under Brendon McCullum as England coach

‘I’m hoping I can build more tolerance over the next few weeks in 50-over cricket. Hopefully, if all goes well, I’ll play some red-ball games at the start of the season.’

Meanwhile, McCullum visited match referee Javagal Srinath post match in Pune to register a complaint about the decision to approve India’s request to replace concussion victim Shivam Dube, a batting all-rounder, with Harshit Rana, a 90-mile-per-hour fast bowler.

A 15-run defeat in which Harshit played a key role, bagging three for 33, left England feeling aggrieved at what appeared a clear breach of concussion protocols – they state substitutions must be made on a like-for-like basis.

However, Mail Sport understands that, having aired their displeasure through official channels, England now consider the matter closed.