I have improved Yasir, Shadab: Mushtaq Ahmed

Former leg-spinner says he has helped several youngsters during his time as NCA head coach

KARACHI: Former leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has refuted the notion that he has been unable to produce enough players, especially spinners, during his tenure as the head coach of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), pointing to the successes of leg-spinners Yasir Shah and Shadab Khan.

While speaking to the Daily Express, Mushtaq claimed he has played a big part in the emergence of the two spinners in recent times. Yasir was till recently the world’s premium Test bowler while Shadab has taken white-ball cricket, especially the T20I format, by storm.

“Shadab was a batsman when he first emerged on the scene and even attended his first camp here in that role,” said Mushtaq. “He has made giant strides with the ball in his hands because of me.”

The 47-year-old said he had a similar impact on Yasir’s rise to stardom as well.

“Yasir didn’t know how to bowl around the wicket,” he added. “I taught him how to do so.”

Mushtaq claimed his influence isn’t limited to spinners either. “17-year-old pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi also considers me his mentor,” he said. “There are other youngsters too who I have helped during my tenure as NCA head coach. A lot of players, especially the young ones, also consult me before every tour and that helps them quite a bit.”

The diminutive World Cup winner said he isn’t given his due credit due to his personality. “I am not given enough credit since it is not in my nature to come on media and promote myself and toot my own horn even though I had a successful tenure as Pakistan’s spin-bowling coach,” he said.

 

‘Considering several options’

Mushtaq’s contract as NCA head coach ends at the end of this month and he claims he is yet to be contacted by the authorities regarding an extension.

The spinner is not worried though, stating that he has several offers on the table. “I have not been in touch with anyone but my agent has been,” he said. “I am not worried about the future since I have several offers on the table already.”

However, the former spinner didn’t rule out an extension to his current role, stating that if he is approached for a contract extension by the Pakistan Cricket Board then he would give it due consideration as well. “My agent has been in touch with the Sri Lankan board for a role there,” he said. “However, if I am contacted by the relevant authorities regarding an extension that I will consider that as well; I can’t rule it out or even confirm it right now since I need to first assess all the options that I have.”