|| CF CORRESPONDNET ||

Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, who worked with Bangladesh during the home series against Zimbabwe in May, the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, and then the Pakistan tour, rejoined the Bangladesh team as their spin bowling coach for the ongoing South Africa Tests.

Mushtaq is not under a full-time contract with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) but he will be available full-time before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Today (October 26, 2024) in an exclusive interview with Cricfrenzy, he talked about his vision, Rishad Hossain and the importance of first-class cricket.

Here are the excerpts:

Cricfrenzy: Why you are in BKSP, not with the national team in Chattogram?

Mushtaq Ahmed: I’m here today because of Rishad [Hossain]. I haven’t seen him since the T20 World Cup. He played several matches in India and here. Of course, I’ve told the Cricket Board, selectors, and everyone that he should play first-class cricket. My relationship with Rishad is very good. I’ll work with him for a few days, sacrificing a trip to Chattogram for a top player.

CF: Is Rishad ready for Test cricket?

Mushtaq: I think it’s too early to say if Rishad is ready for Test cricket. He has to play a full season and bowl a lot of overs. He needs to understand his role as a leg-spinner before lunch, after lunch, and after tea. He needs to know when to attack a batter and when not to, when to think about containment, and when to bowl for wickets. Test cricket is mostly about temperament and bowling consistently over many overs. That’s why we’re working on the basics, including repeatable action. If he improves his basics and repeatable action, he can bowl well continuously. If he does well and understands his process, I believe he’ll be ready for Test cricket, but saying that now would be too early. As I said, he’ll need a full season, maybe even two, to understand how to take wickets in Test cricket.

CF: So when you see Rishad in Test cricket?

Mushtaq: It's hard to say when we’ll see Rishad in Test cricket. I think he’ll be ready after two four-day matches. Leg-spinners can easily get you four wickets. These days, even tail-enders score a lot, with number 8 and 9 batters making half-centuries. A leg-spinner like Rishad, who can bounce, spin, and bowl googlies, will be very effective for the team. The selectors are considering him for all three formats, but he needs to learn the art of bowling good overs. The faster he learns, the better for Bangladesh, In Shaa Allah.

CF: You came early in the morning then did some sessions with him, where does the dedication you show come from?"

Mushtaq: I think I really enjoy this work. In my last three to four international assignments, I’ve worked with grassroots cricket like the Under-19s and Under-17s, all of whom are very good spinners. I think Shahed Mahbub is doing excellent work with the Under-19, 15, and 17 teams. I know him well; he’s even worked in Pakistan. When I conduct these sessions, I see a bright future for Bangladesh’s spin department.

You’ve asked a great question. I enjoy myself actually. I use this phrase, you don’t get a big tree in one day. You have to work hard, like a gardener. You must work with young players to help them understand the basics, consistent actions, and the game itself. When you help them grow this way, you can expect great things from them when they play international cricket for their team.

CF: What kind of improvement you've seen in Rishad so far?

Mushtaq: Many people saw how much he improved in the World Cup; he bowled wonderfully. Often, a leg-spinner needs mental, tactical, and technical coaching. At least three to four years of coaching are needed initially. Rishad is still new to international cricket. He has temperament; he can bat and bowl. He’s a very good cricketer, a “three-in-one.” We need to look after him because he can win you a match at any time. He can take wickets, score runs, field well, and is a good team player. We need a player like him, who can be called an “X-factor.” That’s why I’m here working with Rishad, and I’m happy to be spending this time with him. So I spent some quality time with him and hopefully he get benefited from it.

CF: As you were mentioning about mental tactics, Rishad conceded five sixes in an over in India, should it bother him?  

Mushtaq: Absolutely not. During the first session break in the morning, I reminded him. I told him, “Do you remember what happened to Ben Stokes against West Indies? Carlos Brathwaite hit him for four sixes, scoring 24 runs in that over.” Who is the best all-rounder now? Ben Stokes. Stuart Broad was hit for six sixes by Yuvraj. But who’s England’s greatest bowler? Stuart Broad. Cricket is unpredictable. Big players believe they can hit anyone for six, especially leg-spinners. But they can win you the match. You have to remind him of his great performances for Bangladesh in the World Cup and his potential. He’s very brave and has a good heart. It’s essential to remind him of these things mentally. You have to remind him those things can happen but you are a match-winner and you have to be brave.

CF: What did you say to him after the incident?

Mushtaq: Anyone in the world can get hit for four or five sixes. It’s normal. When it happens, it feels bad for everyone, that’s natural. It’s important to stay positive instead of focusing on “bad bowling.” I think spinners need love and care. That’s why I’m here for him, to show him how crucial he is to Bangladesh in white-ball cricket.

CF: How would you rate Bangladesh spin department?

Mushtaq: This is very important. Every country wins because spinners play a big role. For example, Bangladesh beat Pakistan 2-0. Who was Man of the Match? Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who took 13-14 wickets, while Shakib took several important wickets. We have several good spinners. We may have lost the last Test, but Taijul Islam took eight wickets. If we’d scored more runs in the first innings, we could’ve easily won that match. Spinners have a big role, and that’s why I’ve told the Bangladesh Cricket Board to focus on first-class cricket, and to work with Under-19 and Under-17 players. So we can grow couple of good spinners, mystery spinners, left arm chinaman spinners. We have great spinners like Taijul, Shakib, Rishad, Miraz, ShakMehedi, Nayeem, and Tanvir. We need to strengthen our bench as well and look for mystery spinners. I’m glad we have some mystery and leg spinners in the Under-17 team. They need good coaches around them to guide them in first-class cricket to ensure Bangladesh can produce excellent spinners.

CF: Before you leave Bangladesh, where do you want to see Bangladesh spin department or the whole team?

Mushtaq: I’m not only thinking about the spin department but also Bangladesh’s overall improvement. As a coach, you have to believe first. I had other offers, but I chose Bangladesh because they have the potential and can challenge any team. For example, they’ve already beaten Pakistan in Pakistan. They’ve played very good cricket. They also did well in T20 World Cup. They can challenge anyone. We should give them a good environment, good coaches, and teach them how to win matches. They need to learn this art and how to win in tough situations. Look at Mehidy’s recent innings in the 80s, Mushfiq’s 190 in Pakistan, Mominul’s half-century in tough conditions in India. We need to trust them. Bangladesh’s pace bowling unit is strong, with bowlers like Taskin who consistently bowl above 140 kph. With three or four fast bowlers like that and some solid all-rounders, I believe they’ll win many tournaments. I am here because I believe that.

CF: As a coach what do you teach cricketers apart from cricket?

Mushtaq: Discipline is everything. There’s no shortcut to success. You must work hard and work on your fitness. You have to look for ways to be the best. We have to compete with Australia, India, and the best teams. This requires mental strength and rigorous training. This is what I and all coaches teach. If we work on these things, I believe they can fight anywhere, against anyone. We’re not giving up. Bangladesh is in a good position now. I hope one day they’ll go to Australia and win, go to England and win, and compete in ICC tournaments. But first, we need to reduce the gap between first-class and international cricket.

CF: You came early in the morning from your dedication, do you think every player should learn from this?

Mushtaq: If you don’t make sacrifices, you won’t achieve your goals. For me, it would’ve been easy to go to Chattogram and work with the boys. Credit goes to everyone, not just one person. This is my goal. I’ve worked for three or four countries. I’ve worked internationally but spent more time with first-class cricketers. Like Rishad today, we had the best session today. Rishad is feeling special because the Cricket Board, selectors, and coaches trust him. When someone understands this, they’ll give you their best.

CF: What’s your opinion about Chandika Hathurusingha?

Mushtaq: I don’t want to answer this question. I don’t know what happened between them. I had a very good relationship with him when I worked with him, but I don’t want to add more on that.

CF: Do you considering a long-term contract with BCB?

Mushtaq: I hope it will be a long-term contract. I am working with other teams but these will end in January or February. My assignment will end before the ICC Champions Trophy. Then I’ll sit with my family and the Cricket Board. If everything is good, it will be a long-term contract. Then I want to be the bridge between first-class cricket and International cricket because that’s my expertise now.