Mushtaq Ahmed joins Bangladesh cricket team as spin bowling coach

Legendary former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has joined the Bangladeshi national team as their spin bowling coach, 2 months before they begin their ICC T20 World Cup 2024 campaign.

Mushtaq, 53, has signed a deal with the Bangla Tigers to be a part of their coaching staff only until the 20-team mega event this June in the USA and West Indies. In this edition, Bangladesh will be aiming to reach their first-ever semi-finals but before that, they will have to finish in the top 2 of the points table. 

But the good news for Bangladesh is that, months before the inaugural 20-team World Cup in the shortest format, a personality like Mushtaq Ahmed has joined their coaching entourage. During his playing days, he was easily among the best spinners of the game and his class reflected on his statistics as well.

Ahmed was also a key part of the Pakistani team, also known as "Imran's Tigers" in the 90s, which went on to win the 1992 ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia's iconic venue at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

During the final of the 92' WC against a mighty English team, Mushtaq Ahmed was monumental behind Pakistan's successful defense of the target they posted of 250.

Ahmed had accounted for the wickets of legendary opening batsman Graham Gooch, middle-order batsman Graeme Hick and number 8 batter Dermot Reeve for 29, 17 and 15 respectively.

He will forever be known as a legend of the Pakistani team and as his stint with the Bangladeshi team begins from next month, the Bangla Tigers will hopefully gain a lot from him. 

What did Mushtaq Ahmed say after joining Bangladesh as a spin bowling coach? 

While speaking to ESPNcricinfo after the news of him joining the Bangladesh team was confirmed, Mushtaq Ahmed expressed his delight to be a part of the team, which has a lot of potential.

Ahmed firstly said that it is an honor for him that he has been selected for the job and thinks that the Asian team is more than capable of shaking up the landscape of cricket as their players are very coachable. 

Mushtaq Ahmed specifically emphasized the talent and resources over there in the Bangladeshi team, stating that he will try to make the boys believe in themselves and that he is very excited about the opportunity. 

"It is a great honor for me to be a part of the Bangladesh cricket team as a spin bowling coach. I am looking forward to the role and want to pass my experience to the players because they are very coachable and I always believe that they are one of the most dangerous teams around."

"They can beat anyone because they have the capability, the resources, and the talent. I will try to instill that belief into them. I am very excited at the opportunity to work with the team." - Mushtaq Ahmed said via ESPNcricinfo. 

Bangladesh to play Zimbabwe from 3rd May onwards

Mushtaq Ahmed's tenure as Bangladesh spin bowling coach until the T20 WC will start from May 3rd onwards when they welcome Zimbabwe for a 5-match T20I series.

While the 1st match takes place on the 3rd of next month, the remaining matches are slated to take place on the 5th, 7th, 10th, and 12th at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium in Chittagong.