The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is set to engage Mushtaq Ahmed for another spin bowling consultancy role. Ahmed has also expressed his desire to work with the Bangladesh Men’s cricket team before their 2025 schedule.
When Was Mushtaq Ahmed First Appointed by the BCB?
Ahmed first took up the bowling consultancy role before the ICC t20 World Cup 2024. His coaching prowess was quite evident in the Bangladesh charges as they delivered impressive spin attacks during games. Bangladesh didn’t win the title or progress far enough into the competition, but BCB officials are impressed with Ahmed’s input.
One of Ahmed’s notable contributions to Bangladesh’s spin training was obvious in Rishad Hossain. The talented spin bowler managed 14 wickets throughout Bangladesh’s games at the T20 WC 2024.
What Did Mushtaq Say About this Current Development?
Mushtaq feels positive about his return to Bangladesh cricket. He confirmed negotiations are already in motion to see him return as the team’s spin consultant:
“My man is talking with cricket board in Bangladesh and I already signed few commitments as a consultant for some different teams and different counties and different franchises so I have to fulfil those commitments and after December hopefully I will be more free and yes everything is, very positive and looking forward to catch up with you guys again“
Mushtaq’s numerous commitments after leaving the BCB consultancy role seems to be a major challenge to his early return. However, he is not ruling out a long-term commitment with Bangladesh after his current contracts run out:
“I already made some commitments before I signed with Bangladesh that runs till the World Cup and I am looking forward to having a great time again.”
Mushtaq’s Comments About Bangladesh Cricketers
The current England U-19 spin consultant was full of nothing but praise when asked about his time with Bangladeshi senior cricketers:
“I had a really good time and I think they had great bunch of guys and can challenge any team; I believe that and before I signed I did my work with all the cricketers of Bangladesh; and I think they are very talented, all they need is to have a belief and confidence and they can challenge any team; and I believe they can change that environment and hopefully can be a very good team specially with white-ball cricket,”
BCB Speaks on Potential Mushtaq Ahmed Return
The BCB are optimistic about Mushtaq Ahmed’s return to their fold. BCB chair Nizamuddin Chowdhury spoke at length concerning the Mushtaq Ahmed situation in an interview at the Sher-e-Bangla National:
“I spoke with him even today (July 8) and he had prior engagements till December which included the England U19 job,” the BCB chair said.
He also said BCB officials wanted an actual date of return from Ahmed, but the consultant couldn’t provide one due to current commitments:
“According to the communication we had with Mushtaq we wanted specific number of days from him but he could not give that because he had previous commitment like he had an agreement with England Cricket Board while there are other commitments as well and due to that we had made the agreement with him till T20 World Cup,” he said.
The BCB chief executive also confirmed that there are plans to engage Mushtaq with a long-term contract for Bangladesh cricket:
“We are talking with him on long term basis and we provided him with the FTP that is locked till 2027; and he is looking at it and will get back to us soon. In the last press conference our board president said that we are keen to have him; and because we are getting positive response from him we are only thinking about him (in a consultancy role),” chief Nizamuddin added.
The BCB exec also talked about the potential to see Ahmed hold other roles beside his BCB commitments whenever possible:
“After December when we will have him on a long term basis we would like to have him for a specific amount of days and he can work elsewhere when he is not engaged with us,”
When is Mushtaq Ahmed Likely to Return as BCB Spin Consultant?
Current indications suggest that Ahmed will not return to the BCB spin consultancy role until December 2024. His commitments as a spin consultant for England’s U-19’s is set to delay any accelerated return to Bangladesh cricket.
There is no word about plans to cancel his current contract. Only a mutual cancellation of Ahmed’s contract will see him return earlier than expected to the BCB’s spin consultancy position.
