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Happy Birthday, Mushtaq Ahmed, former Pakistan leg-spinner turns 46

Mushtaq Ahmed had 185 wickets in 52 Test matches for Pakistan.

Mushtaq Ahmed was instrumental in taking Sussex to its first Championship © Getty Images
Mushtaq Ahmed was instrumental in taking Sussex to its first Championship © Getty Images

Born June 28, 1970 in Sahiwal, Punjab, Mushtaq Ahmed turns 46 today. The former Pakistan cricketer known by the nickname ‘Mushie’ was a leg-spinner. Known for his variations and his googly, he was the successor of Abdul Qadir in the Pakistan team. He played a key role when the Pakistan team won the World Cup in 1992. In 2003 Mushtaq Ahmed became the first bowler in five years to take 100 wickets in the English county season, which took Sussex to their first Championship in its history. He became England Cricket team’s spin-bowling coach in the year 2008 and continued till 2014. In 2014, he was named bowling consultant for the Pakistan team under Waqar Younis. ALSO READ: Mushtaq Ahmed, Azhar Mahmood included in Pakistan’s coaching staff for England tour 2016

He made his Test debut for Pakistan in January 1990, against Australia at Adelaide. He had 185 wickets in 52 Test matches for Pakistan. His best bowling figures were 7-56. He had 10 five-wicket hauls in Tests. Mushtaq Ahmed made his One-Day International (ODI) debut in March 1989 against Sri Lanka at Sharjah. He has 161 wickets in 144 ODIs for Pakistan. His best figures were 5-36. His economy rate in ODIs was 4.26. In First-class cricket, he has a massive 1,407 wickets in 309 matches. His best figures are 9-48. His bowling average in First-class cricket was 25.67. The short-height bowler also has 461 List A wickets to his name.

In his career he played for many teams. Mushtaq Ahmed played for teams like Islamabad Cricket Association, Lahore, Lahore Badshahs, Multan, National Bank of Pakistan, Peshawar Cricket Association, Redco Pakistan Ltd, Rest of Punjab. Among English county teams, he has played for Somerset, Surrey, and Sussex.

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