Mushtaq Ahmed, one of Pakistan’s most successful leg-spinners, recently joined the Indian Cricket League. He spoke to Taus Rizvi on ICL and various other issues. Excerpts…
Mushtaq Ahmed, one of Pakistan’s most successful leg-spinners, recently joined the Indian Cricket League. The 37-year-old will be representing Lahore Badshahs in the second edition of the T20 tournament. He spoke to Taus Rizvi on ICL and various other issues. Excerpts…
How do you look at playing in the ICL?
It’s good for a person like me who is not playing international cricket. Twenty20 is a new format and I am excited about it.
Spinners always fear being belted considering the slam bang nature of the game, your comments…
Spinners are winning games for the teams in this format. Batsmen tend to hit spinners, but very often they get foxed. Picking 3-4 wickets in a game is good enough.
Cricket boards are banning players joining the ICL. What are your views?
ICL is a professional league and players have the right to make their own choice. It’s cricket after all and the tournament is only promoting the game. Many players are in their twilight years and it’s the best opportunity to earn some good money. I have heard about the ban, but the situation will improve.
There is a dearth of quality leg spinners after Shane Warne, and Anil Kumble is nearing retirement. Even you have been away from international cricket for quite some time…
A leg spinner matures in his late 20’s and early 30’s. Pakistan’s Danish Kaneria is good. India’s Piyush Chawla has the potential to make it big and England’s Adil Rashid is also very talented. They will gradually mature.
Who do you admire most—Shane Warne or Anil Kumble?
Frankly, I admire both. But I will back Kumble more for he has achieved so much with little variation. It is an immense success to scalp 600 wickets. It’s amazing. And he’s only the third bowler to do so in the history of the game.
You are 37 and playing in the ICL. Do you hope to play for Pakistan again?
I have not been in the Pakistan team for the past five years. Joining ICL, therefore, was the most obvious decision for me.
How would you rate young Shoaib Malik’s captaincy? Pakistan is not as balanced a side as it used to be…
Malik is young and talented. He’s still learning and will be a better skipper once he learns to be consistent. He has to play with senior pros and pick up the most from them.
What do think about the present Indian team and MS Dhoni as a leader?
First, the team is well-balanced and looks good for future success. Second, Dhoni has been a good skipper and has proved his worth by maintaining his cool in crunch situations. It’s obvious that the team enjoys playing under such a cool captain.
You were the Pakistan bowling coach during the World Cup. What forced you to part ways with the Pakistan Cricket Board?
The team made a dismal performance. As the bowling coach, I was equally answerable and the PCB chose to go in for a change.
Most teams in the sub-continent prefer foreign coaches… Do you endorse the idea?
A good coach never hesitates… he does what he has to do. Coaching today is more about organisational skills and man-management. Technical know-how is easily available from a variety of experts. This is where I feel foreigners have an advantage over us…They are very good man-managers. PCB should appoint a Pakistani assistant coach. That way we can learn from them.
How do you rate Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson?
I didn’t quite know him... It’s too soon to pick flaws. He still needs time to get used to our culture and I am sure he will show good results.
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