Doosra

For the Indian film, see Doosra (2021 film). For the Sri Lankan film, see Doosra (2024 film).

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A doosra is a particular type of delivery by an off-spin bowler in cricket. The doosra spins in the opposite direction to an off break (the off-spinner's default delivery), and aims to confuse the batter into playing an unavoidable shot.

Doosra means "(the) second (one)", or "(the) other (one)" in Hindi-Urdu.[1][2]

The delivery was invented by Pakistani domestic cricketer Prince Aslam Khan[3] and popularised by Pakistani international cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq. A variety of bowlers have made considerable use of the doosra in international cricket. Users include Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan, Indian Harbhajan Singh, and South African Johan Botha. Other Pakistanis who use it include Shoaib Malik and Saeed Ajmal. Many bowlers, such as Johan Botha and Shane Shillingford, are not allowed to bowl doosras because, when they do so, their bowling actions are considered illegal.

  1. ^ "Doosra may be the difference". 27 April 2009.
  2. ^ "UrduWord.com - Translation of Other". www.urduword.com. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  3. ^ Syed, Mohsin Ali (9 October 2017). "The prince of Pakistan's cricket". Daily Times Pakistan.