It was a rest day before the fifth and final match of the T20 series of hosts Bangladesh and visiting Zimbabwe on Saturday when most of the cricketers, coaching staff members spent their day at the team hotel but spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed went to Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur at noon .
A total of 17 promising leg spinners were waiting indoors at the venue for Mushtaq shared his experiences with them.
In all, BCB's game development is running a camp with 25 leg spinners. Mushtaq conducted a session with the 17 people who were present as many of them were on vacation.
Game development Manager of BCB Abu Inam Mohammad Qaiser said, “Mushtaq gave time as the national team is not practicing on the day. Hope the budding leg spinners could learn something from him.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has recently made a significant addition to their coaching staff by bringing on board the Pakistani leg-spin legend, Mushtaq Ahmed, as the new spin bowling coach for the national team.
A video released by the BCB captured a warm exchange between Mushtaq and the veteran cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim, highlighting the friendly atmosphere. Mushtaq also shared a handshake with the team captain, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, and interacted with other key players like Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam. His discussions extended to the head coach, Chandika Hathurusingha, indicating a collaborative approach to coaching. Amidst these interactions, Shahriar Nafees, the assistant manager of cricket operations, presented Mushtaq with the official practice kit of the Bangladesh team, symbolizing his official role within the squad.
Mushtaq is set to commence his coaching journey with the Bangladesh team starting with the upcoming series against Zimbabwe. He expressed a keen eagerness to begin his tenure, considering it a prestigious opportunity to contribute to Bangladesh's cricketing framework. "Being a part of Bangladesh's cricket system is a great honor for me. I am eagerly waiting to start," Mushtaq stated.
With a firm resolve to make a notable impact in the spin department, Mushtaq emphasized his mission: "I have come here to create a difference in the spin department. I look forward to sharing my knowledge with both the young and senior players. I am hopeful that we can make a significant impact... The young players are incredibly talented, and we can impart our experience to them. I have faith in their abilities. They have the potential to challenge any team."
Mushtaq acknowledges the challenges ahead but is ready to embrace them. "The task is quite challenging. From a coaching perspective, it's a different ball game compared to the rest of the world. One must adapt and be proactive. Understanding the nuances of cricket here is crucial. Honestly, it's always an enriching experience. As a coach and a player, you need to stay connected and be precise."
He also expressed a desire to scout for spin talent at the grassroots level, "In Asia, you always find a leg-spinner, a mystery spinner, and a chinaman in the nets. I believe my experience will be valuable here. I hope to establish communication through the Bangladesh Cricket Board. We can engage with club and first-class coaches. We can discover leg-spinners and chinaman bowlers. It's essential to have spinners who can take wickets in the middle overs of white-ball cricket."
Mushtaq's commitment to enhancing the spin bowling strength of the Bangladesh team is clear, and his experience is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the team's strategy and performance. His approach combines a deep understanding of the game with a hands-on method of nurturing talent, aiming to elevate Bangladesh's spin bowling to new heights.
