Experienced Pakistan off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq is feeling the pressure to perform in this week's third and final Test against Bangladesh after being sidelined from the international arena for six months.

The 26-year-old Saqlain has not represented his country since playing in a World Cup pool game against the Netherlands in February, but has been recalled as Pakistan's senior bowler in the absence of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami.

"I am only human and I do feel the pressure and tension of a comeback," Saqlain said on Tuesday.

"But a Test match is a Test match and, if I can play the senior bowler role for my team to perfection, I would be happy for a job well done.

"I have always given 100 percent for my country and I don't want to dwell on why the selectors have ignored me since the World Cup."

Saqlain, a veteran of 47 Tests and 168 one-day internationals, was recalled for the Multan Test after Shoaib rejoined English county Durham and fellow fast bowler Sami was ruled out with a stress hairline fracture to his ankle.

"I am just relieved to be back in the team because it was frustrating to be on the sidelines since the World Cup, especially as I have a lot of passion for the game," Saqlain said.

EXPANDED REPERTOIRE

The off spinner has expanded his bowling repertoire during his six-month absence and would be trying out some of his new deliveries in the final Test against Bangladesh and in the home series against South Africa.

"I treat every delivery as a (potential) wicket-taking one," said the finger spinner, who is renowned for his mystery ball, a "slider" which drifts away and continues to mesmerise the best batsmen.

"In recent times, the ball that goes the other way has been a stock ball for me. But I have been experimenting with some new deliveries to give more variety and options to my bowling."

Saqlain, who has taken 205 wickets for Pakistan in 47 Tests plus 288 one-day international wickets, added that he had never set specific targets in international cricket.

"I don't believe in long-term goals, because you don't know whether you will play the next match," he said. "You don't even know what happens the next day.

"I treat every match as the most important thing at that moment, and give it my best."

Bracketed with Australia's Shane Warne, Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan and India's Anil Kumble as the leading exponents of spin bowling in the modern game, Saqlain was one of Wisden's five players of the year in 2000.

The third Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh starts on Wednesday, with the hosts expected to complete a series clean sweep.