Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed is ready to make a difference with the Bangladesh cricket team in the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup which will be played in West Indies and the United States from June 1.

The 53-year-old, who performed the spin bowling coach’s role with England (2008-2014), West Indies (2018-19) and Pakistan (2020-22), has also held the position of the Pakistan team’s bowling consultant (2014-16).

Mushtaq admitted that it is difficult to adapt to the new culture as you have to understand the cricket here as well. Regardless, he remained confident that he would be able to make a difference with the team.

"It is very challenging. From a coaching skill point of view, it is totally different to the rest of the world. You have to adopt and be very proactive,” Mushtaq was quoted in a video posted by BCB on their official Facebook page on Tuesday.

“You have to understand the cricket here basically. It is always a great experience, to be honest. Coming here, meeting very humble people. As a coach and player, you have to up to the mark. You have to be upright.

"I have to believe as a coach. I am here to make a difference in the spin department and I think I can make the difference. I think I can share my knowledge with the young people and senior players. Hopefully we can make a difference.

“I believe you can only coach those teams that are coachable. The young people are very talented cricketers, so we can pass our experience to them. I believe they are a very talented team. They can challenge any team," he said.

Mushtaq stated that he will work with local coaches in the coming to find a spinner as every team in the world should have spinners who can take wickets in the middle overs during a white-ball cricket match.

"There's always a leg-spinner, mystery spinner and chinaman in the nets in Asia. I think that's where my experience will come through. Hopefully we can make communication through Bangladesh Cricket Board. We can meet club and first-class coaches," he said.

"We can find leg-spinners and chinaman bowlers. You need to have spinners who can get you wickets in the middle overs of white-ball cricket.”

Source: Geo Super

BDST: 1145 HRS, APR 24, 2024
MN