By Darren Long
January 13 2005

Freelance Sports Journalist Darren Long writes about Pakistani Leg Spinner Mushtaq Ahmed and Pakistani cricket in general. Read his views on Bob Woolmer and how Pakistan can improve. As the sun begins to set on one of the most illustrious career's in Asian cricket, many observers will wonder what will be the next step for legendary leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed.

Mushie is still going strong with Sussex in English county cricket and is contracted to the county for the coming season but his appearances have become less frequent on the Pakistan domestic cricket front.
The 1992 World Cup winner will turn 35 in June this year so it is probably safe to assume he won't be seen on the Test arena again despite his prolific form on the English county circuit.

After firing Sussex to their maiden County Championship title and smashing records along the way - Mushtaq was the first bowler to take 100 wickets for five years - it looked like he would be a major hit on the international scene and an amazing transformation would be complete after a period in the wilderness.
The expected call-up immediately followed for the tour to South Africa but the success never materialised and he was gone as quickly as he had returned after the second Test in October, 2003.

The end of an era for sure but it would be a great loss if that was the little man's final input into Pakistani international cricket. Although his career has at times been tainted by controversy, most notably match-fixing allegations, Mushie has always been a much respected and loved cricketer throughout the four corners of the globe.

The talented leg-spinner has always been a popular attraction on the English domestic circuit but his star has never shone so brightly as it has in the past two seasons. He was loved during his time in Somerset and quickly attained legendary status in Sussex in 2003.

Following his incredible rise to the top as a youngster, the Sahiwal born cricketer has suffered his share of tough times and at one stage believed he would be unable to bowl again because of a serious shoulder injury sustained during his time contracted to Somerset.
But, his deep rooted faith in Islam helped pull him through numerous problems including a number of off-the-field incidents in Pakistan.
While many players would have drifted off the scene and wallowed in self-pity, Mushie set about re-inventing himself and had the resolve to return a much stronger character.

His attitude towards club cricket in Staffordshire in 2002 did not go unnoticed. Far from the prima-donna many locals expected, they found a genuinely warm character who was more than willing to give up his time to an intrigued fan, excited youngster or the tea lady in equal measure. And that is without mentioning his commitment on the pitch to his club - Mushie took a league record 118 wickets to comfortably lead his side to the championship!

Whoever meets Mushie usually feels instantly comfortable in his company and comes away with a blessing and a smile on their face.

As time has passed, Mushtaq has certainly grown wiser and learnt to put others before himself as his captaincy of the National Bank has proved. He has been more than willing to give the lions share of overs to up and coming youngsters while taking on the more difficult situations himself.

In England, he takes an interest in all levels of the game without prompting and is constantly interested in the development and attitude of youth players.
This is no doubt due to his devotion to the Islamic religion and his faith has enhanced his personality and enriched the lives of those under his tutelage.
The growing stature of the little man in world cricket may not have been as noticeable in his native country as it has in his adopted England.
But, his standing as an international cricketer and his understanding of the game and the people in it make him an outstanding candidate for the next coach of Pakistan.

Although Shaharyar Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has quite rightly publicly supported national team coach Bob Woolmer over the three-Test drubbing Pakistan received in Australia, it is difficult to see the talented coach lasting longer than the short-term.

Woolmer, given time, would no doubt help Pakistan re-establish itself as a major force in the world order and I believe he would add the foundations to keep them there for a long time. However, the constant criticism he will receive from Pakistan 'traditionalists' like Javed Miandad will surely wear Woolmer down and he may well believe there are easier ways to make a living in cricket.
Pakistani cricket could learn many valuable lessons from the western world but I don't believe many of the people who have influence are willing to gain their education from an outsider.

India and Sri Lanka have both employed overseas hired hands and have reaped the many benefits on offer. After speaking to Dinesh Mongia last summer, the talented Indian informed me of his belief that India always had the potential to be a leading force in world cricket, but he put their recent rise down to the influence of outside factors and suggests the turning point was when South African trainer Adrian Le Roux joined the cause.
Mongia said: “We always had the raw material in players and abilities, but we never had a chance on fitness, techniques and strategy.
Whatever success India has achieved in the last three years, I will give 50 per cent of the credit to Le Roux.
“Previously, if you got Sachin Tendulkar out then it would be job done, but now it is not like that. Whoever is playing, is playing their part and it is good teamwork with healthy competition.”

I feel, however, that although many of the Pakistan hierarchy and cricketers will subscribe to Woolmer's cause, many more will throw obstacles in the way and I do fear for his long-term future, whether it is his decision or not.

Therefore, it would make common sense for a national to take over the side, a man who has gained an insight into the modern ways of cricket, the importance of psychology and knows how to implement it. Having whiled away the hours listening to Mushtaq's thoughts on the game I am positive he could indeed teach his Australian, English or South African counterparts a thing or two. And given the undoubted ability on offer within the country, Mushie could well be the leader to lay the foundations for Pakistan's long-term future glory.