Mushtaq Ahmed leading the race to become Pakistan's spin bowling consultant

Mushtaq Ahmed, who at his peak was regarded as one of the finest wrist-spinners in the world, had a splendid career with Pakistan. The leg-break googly bowler scalped 161 wickets while donning the Pakistan jersey in 144 games. He managed to showcase his forte with the red-ball too. Mushtaq picked up 185 wickets in 52 Tests for Pakistan including 10 five-wicket hauls.

The leg-spinner is now set to don the hat of Pakistan’s spin bowling consultant. The Pakistan Cricket Board had recently issued an advertisement for the position. The post demanded a level-three coaching certificate, along with at least five years of minimum experience with elite cricketers, national or international teams. Mushtaq was kept in mind when PCB had released the advertisement. The last date to apply for the position is November 19.

Sources have also revealed that the leg-spinner’s name for the position was recommended by Pakistan’s head coach-cum-chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq. Mushtaq was also the spin bowling coach for West Indies in the ICC World Cup 2019. According to sources, Mushtaq had already been appointed as the spin bowling coach before PCB rolled out its advertisement. Another former spinner of Pakistan, Saqlain Mushtaq, is also in contention but Misbah is believed to be insisting 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. The 49-year-old has the experience of working with England and Pakistan in the past. In 2008, ECB had appointed him as the spin-bowling coach of England cricket team until 2014.

Mushtaq was named as Pakistan cricket team’s bowling consultant under newly-appointed Waqar Younis from 2014 to 2016. He also donned the hat of head coach of Pakistan’s National Cricket Academy in April 2016. Meanwhile, Pakistan are scheduled to lock horns with Australia in a two-match Test series starting from November 21.

Under the leadership of new skipper Azhar Ali and new coach Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan will be eyeing to clinch their first Test series on the Australian soil.

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