Mushtaq Ahmed named spin bowling coach

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former Pakistani leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed as the national spin bowling coach with immediate effect. His appointment was made on the recommendations of the PCB's coach selection committee and approved by newly-appointed head coach, Waqar Younis, a PCB spokesman said on Monday. The coach selection committee, comprising Moin Khan, Intikhab Alam and Haroon Rashid, had also shortlisted former off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and was in communication with him prior to finalizing its recommendation in favour of Mushtaq.
Mushtaq has been appointed with immediate effect and his contract will extend until May 2016. Since 2008, Mushtaq had worked as a spin-bowling coach with England and was recently released by the ECB. This is Mushtaq's second stint with Pakistan - he had earlier served as bowling consultant during home series against England and India between 2005 and 2006. Mushtaq said there is no concern shown by PCB at all and he is excited to work with his own country. He said, "I always wanted to work with Pakistan and if a country like England can support me, then why not my own country. I have a contract according to which I will be working at the NCA, on the development of the upcoming spinners, apart from the national role. Obviously, the present lot [bowlers] in Pakistan is established but I am aiming to carry on the momentum, which is important in the longer run."
It may be noted that Mushtaq played for Pakistan in 2003 but extended his county career and retired from first-class cricket in 2008. In 2003 he became the first bowler in five years to take 100 wickets in the English season. He played 52 Tests and 144 ODIs, taking 185 Test wickets and 161 one-day wickets in 14-year international career. At his prime, Mushtaq was considered one of the top three leg-break googly bowlers, claiming 185 Test wickets along with 161 ODI scalps. His greatest achievement in first class cricket, where he took 100-plus wickets for five successive seasons for Sussex in the early 2000s, was winning the county its first Championship ever in 2003, also spearheading the feat in 2006 and 2007.