Mushtaq Ahmed appointed as Pakistan's spin-bowling consultant; will work with Yasir Shah at NCA

The Pakistan Cricket team has been going through tough times in the past few months, following defeats against Sri Lanka [0-3] at home and then a forgettable tour of Australia where they couldn’t manage a single win across three Twenty20 Internationals and two Test matches.

Amidst all the hue and cry around the performance and selection of the side, there have been growing calls for increased involvement of former Pakistani legends into the set-up, and in a recent development, champion leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has been named as their spin-bowling consultant for a one-year term.

Mushtaq, who was one of the spearheads in Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup win in Australia and New Zealand, will be working alongside leg-spinner Yasir Shah at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore and ensure he is well in readiness for the second Test against Sri Lanka in Karachi.

Yasir Shah endured a tough tour of Australia where he averaged more than 100 with the ball, and in a bid to get him ready for the Karachi Test where spinners are expected to have their say, the premier spinner of Pakistan was released from the squad and was told to report to the newly appointed spin-bowling consultant in Mushtaq Ahmed.

“He will rejoin the team for the second Test in Karachi” a Pakistan Cricket Board was quoted as saying by the Indian Express. 

Yasir Shah to work alongside Mushtaq Ahmed at the National Cricket Academy

According to the statement by the PCB, Mushtaq, who played 44 Tests and 144 ODIs for Pakistan, was appointed as the spin-bowling consultant last week. According to his contract, Ahmed will work 120 days a year at the National Cricket Academy with the Under-16, Under-19 and other domestic bowlers, and will be working with the national side, as and when required.

Mushtaq has previously enjoyed coaching stints with England and West Indies cricket team, and Pakistan will be hoping that the legendary bowler can help Yasir Shah get back to his best. Shah was dropped from the playing 11 in the Rawalpindi Test with the home side opting to go with a four-man pace attack.

The second Test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will take place from December 19th in Karachi.

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