Mushtaq Ahmed, who was considered one of the best wrist-spinners in the world during his time, had a wonderful career with Pakistan. The leg-break bowler scalped 161 wickets in 144 games for Pakistan in ODIs. With the red-ball, too, he managed to showcase his strength. In 52 tests for Pakistan, Mushtaq picked up 185 wickets including 19 five-wicket hauls.
The leg-spinner is likely to don the spin bowling consultant’s role for Pakistan. Recently, the Pakistan Cricket Board released an advertisement for the role. The post requested a level-three certificate in coaching, along with a minimum of five years of experience with top cricketers, national or international teams.
A source has also revealed that Pakistan’s head coach-cum-chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq has recommended the name of the leg-spinner for the position. Mushtaq was also West Indies ‘spin bowling coach at the 2019 ICC World Cup. Mushtaq had been named as the spin bowling coach, according to sources, before PCB rolled out its advertisement.
Also in contention is another former Pakistan spinner, Saqlain Mushtaq, but Misbah is supposed to have insisted on Mushtaq Ahmed for the position.
Mushtaq has worked with England and Pakistan
Mushtaq is currently associated with the Deccan Gladiators franchise in the T10 League. PCB has disallowed its players from taking part in the tournament in Abu Dhabi. At present, Mushtaq is associated with the T10 League Deccan Gladiators franchise. PCB has refused to allow its players to take part in the Abu Dhabi tournament. The 49-year-old has the experience of working with England and Pakistan. In 2008, he was named by the ECB as England’s cricket team’s spin-bowling coach until 2014.
From 2014 to 2016, Mushtaq was named as the bowling consultant of the Pakistan cricket team under the newly appointed head coach Waqar Younis. In April 2016, he also put on the head coach hat of the Pakistan National Cricket Academy.
Meanwhile, in a two-match test series beginning on November 21, Pakistan is scheduled to lock horns with Australia. Under the guidance of new skipper Azhar Ali and new coach Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan will look forward to clinching a series win on Australian soil.
