Former Pakistani cricketer and spin bowler, Mushtaq Ahmed, has shared his thoughts on current Pakistani cricket and its players in an interview with Cricket Pakistan. Regarding the current captain of the Pakistani cricket team, Babar Azam, Mushtaq stated that although Babar is currently considered as the number one batsman in the world, there is still room for improvement in his game.
According to Mushtaq, Babar has been dismissed by leg spinners and googlies several times and this is something he needs to work on. He suggested that Babar should take lessons from Indian captain Virat Kohli, who had also faced similar issues in the past but worked on his weaknesses and improved his game. Babar needs to plan his approach and determine whether to play the spin from the front or the back foot.
On the topic of all-rounder Shadab Khan, Mushtaq appreciated the improvements he has made in his game and acknowledged the challenges he faces in terms of fitness.
He pointed out that Shadab has learned new tricks and his line and length have improved. However, Mushtaq believes that playing red-ball cricket would be beneficial for Shadab’s overall game as he is considered a match-winner.
Mushtaq also praised his franchise captain, Mohammad Rizwan, for his selfless attitude. He spoke highly of Rizwan’s ability to admit the truth openly and how he advocated for the inclusion of Sarfaraz Ahmed in the test team.
Despite facing criticism for not getting a chance to play and not having the ability to play T20s, Rizwan proved his critics wrong and showcased his talent. According to Mushtaq, Rizwan’s character and big heart are what set him apart from others.
