Mushtaq Ahmed leaves Bangladesh Team after T20 World Cup; to return for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Bangladesh spin consultant Mushtaq Ahmed, who did a wonderful job in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, has parted ways with the Bangladesh team after the tournament. However, the former right-arm spinner will be back on the side before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 next year.

Notably, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wanted Mushtaq Ahmed to stay, however, the 54-year-old had prior commitments with the England Cricket Board. The former Bangladesh leg-spinner is set to execute his role as a spin consultant with the England U-19 team. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has signed him till the end of this year.

Mushtaq Ahmed gained a lot of credit for leading Bangladesh's spin attack under his guidance. Notably, debutant Rishad Hossain captured 14 wickets for Bangladesh in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and finished as the team's top wicket-taker.

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Bangladesh reached Super 8 in T20 World Cup 2024

Moreover, Bangladesh also impressed the cricket fraternity with a far more stunning show than expected during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 on the back of a mighty spin attack. The Najmal Shanto-led side overpowered Sri Lanka, Netherlands, and Nepal to grab a spot in Super 8 from Group D with South Africa.

However, they later lost to India by 5 runs, Australia by 28 runs, and Afghanistan by 8 runs (DLS) in the Super 8 round. Notably, they had a very close chance to qualify for the semis till their last game and Afghanistan pulled off the semis berth by a narrow margin.

Looking forward to a great time again: Mushtaq Ahmed

Mushtaq Ahmed, the man behind Bangladesh's stunning spin attack in the tournament, will now lead to guide England's youngsters. During a chat with Cricbuzz, he revealed he looks forward to returning to the Bangladesh Team after completing the assignment.

"I already made some commitments before I signed with Bangladesh that run till the World Cup and I am looking forward to having a great time again," he said.

Bangladesh Cricket Board Nizamuddin Chowdhury responded on Mushtaq Ahmed's departure from support staff informing that they were already aware of his prior commitments ahead of ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

"According to the communication we had with Mushtaq we wanted specific number of days from him but he could not give that because he had previous commitments like he had an agreement with ECB while there are other commitments as well", Chowdhury was quoted as saying by Bangladesh reporters.

"Due to this we only had made the agreements with him till T20 World Cup. I spoke with him and he had prior engagements till December, including the England U19 job," he added.

We want Mushtaq Ahmed on a long-term basis: BCB chief

However, the BCB chief also added the Board looks forward to a long-term association with Mushtaq Ahmed till 2027 and he will be back as Bangladesh spin consultant before the end of this year.

"We are talking with him on a long-term basis and we provided him with the FTP that is locked till 2027 and he is looking at it and will get back to us soon. After December when we will have him on a long-term basis, we would like to have him for a specific amount of days and he can work elsewhere when he is not engaged with us," he concluded.

Interestingly, since Ahmed will be out till December, he is going to miss three crucial series. Bangladesh is set to tour Pakistan in August, India in September-October, and West Indies in November-December this year.

However, the former Bangladesh spin legend will be back before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025; which takes place in Pakistan next year in February-March.