Mushtaq Ahmed Urges Spinner Serenity on Challenging Black Soil Wicket

Bangladesh’s spin consultant, Mushtaq Ahmed, is guiding his spinners to stick to their strategies and remain calm amidst the spin-friendly conditions. This is crucial as they gear up to face West Indies in the second and decisive match of the three-game ODI series, scheduled to be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on April 21.

The inclusion of left-arm spinners Nasum Ahmed for Bangladesh and Akeal Hossein for West Indies in their ODI teams for the remaining series matches indicates the emphasis on slow bowlers on the black-soiled pitch maintained by the new head of turf management, Tonny Hemmings.

“As a spinner, seeing such a pitch can be exciting, but this excitement can distract from the process, which is crucial. Consistently delivering good overs is key to taking wickets, not just bowling good balls,” Mushtaq shared with reporters in Mirpur on Monday.

“On turning pitches, it’s essential to bowl tightly, deliver good overs, and the wickets will naturally follow. My message is simple: remember the process, and the wickets will come,” he further emphasized.

Mushtaq pointed out that executing a remarkable bowling performance, like that of Rishad Hossain, isn’t as straightforward as it might seem, especially when it’s predominantly focused on the pitch rather than his skills.

“It’s honestly not that easy, my friend. Sometimes, the pressure to perform on spin-friendly pitches is immense,” Mushtaq remarked.

“Young leg spinners can get nervous, so from a coaching perspective, it’s crucial to stress process and belief. Such pitches can challenge a spinner’s comfort zone and process. Rishad bowled consistently with good line and length, and his improved wrong’un is promising for Bangladesh cricket,” he observed.

Mushtaq stressed that while Bangladesh has many leg spinners, players like Rishad Hossain should gain more experience in red-ball cricket to enhance their abilities.

“I remember we had a two-day session here in Mirpur involving ten young leg spinners from Under 15, Under 16, and Under 17, along with two from the Under 19 squad,” Mushtaq recalled.

“Shahid Mahmood and Arshad Khan have been putting in a lot of effort. We exchange videos and feedback regularly. A repeatable action is crucial for a leg spinner, setting a strong foundation for an international career. We are concentrating on these aspects,” he explained.

“Red-ball cricket is invaluable for developing spinners and batters, teaching them situational awareness, pitch reading, and the art of dismissals. With good coaching and a supportive environment, red-ball cricket can unlock great potential,” he added, noting Rishad’s promising future in this format.

“Rishad definitely has a future in red-ball cricket because tailenders, even in teams like Australia and England, can bat proficiently. His ability to deliver challenging wrong’uns and utilize his height and bounce effectively makes him a valuable asset,” he noted.

“Rishad could be a formidable force in Test cricket, but he needs to prove himself by delivering quality overs,” he concluded.