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Mushtaq Ahmed (Urdu: مشتاق احمد) (born 28 June 1970 in Sahiwal) is a Pakistani cricketer, more specifically a leg spin bowler. He is known for his hard-to-pick googly. He memorably trapped Graeme Hick in front with one during the 1992 World Cup final. He was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1997. However, despite taking over 150 One Day International and Test wickets, he hasn't played international cricket since October 2003.
However he has played a lot of county cricket in England, including for Somerset and Surrey earlier in his career, and more recently for Sussex.
In 2003, Mushtaq was the leading wicket taker in county cricket, finishing the season with 103, and inspiring Sussex to their first County Championship title. Following this, he was recalled by Pakistan but was soon dropped for being ineffectual. In the 2004 season, Mushtaq was again the leading wicket taker in English county cricket with 84 scalps, but with Danish Kaneria's emergence as Pakistan's first-choice leg spinner, Mushtaq looks unlikely to play for Pakistan's national side again.
In December 2006, the PCB appointed Mushtaq as assistant coach of the Pakistan team.[1] He acted as interim coach for team's final game of the 2007 World Cup following the death of Bob Woolmer.[2]
In 2006, Mushtaq (or "Mushy" as he is best known to Sussex fans) took 102 wickets as Sussex once more won the County Championship, as well as the C&G Trophy. He began the last Championship match of the season, against Nottinghamshire, on 89 wickets, but a haul of 13 in the match (including a career-best 9-48 in the second innings) took him past the hundred mark once again.
In 2007, Sussex won the Country Championship for the second time in two years, again helped greatly by Mustaq, who took 90 wickets.
[edit] Domestic career
Mushtaq Ahmed had an amazing turn of fortune in 2002 when he was given a trial by Sussex County Cricket Club. He became the leading county wicket taker for four seasons in a row. Playing a major role in Sussex's first ever county championship title.
| Recent County Performances |
| Year |
Wickets |
Average |
5/10 wicket hauls |
| 2003 |
103 |
24.65 |
10/5 |
| 2004 |
82 |
27.14 |
6/2 |
| 2005 |
80 |
26.73 |
4/1 |
| 2006 |
102 |
19.91 |
11/4 |
| 2007 |
90 |
25.66 |
8/3 |
[edit] References
[edit] External links
Pakistan
