Mushtaq, Mahmood may join Arthur’s panel

Head coach keen on former leggie as assistant or bowling coach, board wants Azhar

KARACHI: Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur is keen to be reunited with Mushtaq Ahmad in the Pakistan team setup after previously working with the former leg-spinner in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with Karachi Kings.

Mushtaq served as assistant to former head coach Waqar Younis for almost two years before Azhar Mahmood replaced him in the ill-fated Asia Cup and World T20 this year.

The former Test player, who has been working as the National Cricket Academy (NCA) head coach, enjoys a close relationship with Arthur, who admitted in his first media talk that he was in constant touch with Mushtaq while in Australia.

Top officials of the board are divided over the appointment of Mushtaq as assistant or bowling coach as they feel the NCA would suffer if its head coach leaves.

“Arthur is comfortable with Mushtaq and wants him to join the team as assistant coach, but the board feels that the NCA would be neglected if he comes back to the national team,” a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official told The Express Tribune.



“There are other candidates as well; Mahmood, Aaqib Javed and Mohammad Akram are in the running, but it may end up being Arthur’s call. He had a good meeting with PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, COO Subhan Ahmad and Executive Committee Chairman Najam Sethi, where he shared his plans and the changes he wants to make in the present team management.”

In recent times, the PCB Governing Board members have also raised objections on the functioning of the NCA as they feel it should be more active in helping Pakistan players at different tiers.

Mushtaq had failed alongside Waqar in turning around the fortunes of Pakistan team in ODI and T20I formats.

“One of the four contenders would be named as assistant coach in a few days’ time but Mushtaq leads the race, while Mahmood is also a strong contender,” added the official.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2016.

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