Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has admitted that he would love to coach his country again, but the uncertainty surrounding the Pakistan Cricket Board [PCB] has left him wary of taking the job.
Mushtaq, who is currently working as Bangladesh’s spin-bowling coach, said the lack of job security and what he described as emotional decision-making within the PCB are major concerns for him.
His comments came after the board made a dramatic overhaul during Pakistan’s ongoing Test tour of England, sending seven players home following defeats in the first two matches of the three-match Test series.
The PCB also removed coaches Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul before the tour had even ended, with white-ball coach Mike Hesson’s setup taking charge for the final Test.
“I would love to do that for my country, of course. Especially at this time,” Mushtaq said on the BBC Stumped Podcast.
“Sometimes you get scared of working for your own country when the people don’t respect you and they sack you because of a few emotional decisions here and there.
Mushtaq has previously worked with the Pakistan national team in several capacities. He first joined the setup as a bowling consultant in 2014 and remained in the role until 2016 before returning as the team’s spin-bowling coach in 2020.
“When you see those things, people getting sacked on a tour, you get worried and scared.”
The former spinner said the treatment of Sarfaraz and Gul particularly hurt him as a former Pakistan cricketer, arguing that such decisions should have been made after the conclusion of the series.
Mushtaq believes Pakistan still has the potential to build a competitive side, but coaches need the backing and stability required to do their jobs properly.
“I think those are the things that, if you can get that sorted, every Pakistani cricketer who is coaching, not only myself, would love to serve the country,” he said.
“This is the best time for me to take that challenge and bring those players to their best, make them confident about international cricket and make a unit that can actually challenge opposition teams.”
Mushtaq also said Bangladesh deserve the right to play more red ball cricket after their 1-1 draw in Australia.
Mushtaq was also critical of the decision to remove seven players while the England tour was still in progress.
Players including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha were sent home after Pakistan’s heavy defeats in the opening two Tests, while five of their replacements were uncapped.
The sudden changes sparked widespread debate and drew criticism from several former cricketers and commentators.
“Changing seven players and the management, especially with the tour still going on, I feel that this is not the right thing,” Mushtaq said.
“This has never happened in Pakistan cricket before. Obviously, I’m hurt as an ex-cricketer, as a Pakistani. These things should not happen.”
Mushtaq also defended Sarfaraz and Gul, pointing to their experience and service to Pakistan cricket.
“Sarfaraz and Umar Gul, they are some of the most experienced cricketers. They served the country very well. Sarfaraz was a captain also,” he said.
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“If you want to sack them, obviously, you have to sack them after the tour. This is the time to stay calm, don’t make rash decisions.”
For now, however, the former leg-spinner appears more comfortable watching Pakistan’s coaching turmoil from a distance.
His message to the PCB is straightforward: if the board can provide coaches with respect, stability and the confidence to work without fear of sudden dismissal, he would be more than willing to answer the call of his country.
Source: www.thedailystar.net
