Mushtaq Ahmed rejects opportunity to become Delhi Daredevils' spin bowling coach

Mushtaq Ahmed

Former Pakistani cricketer Mushtaq Ahmed has declined an offer requesting him to join Delhi Daredevils team, which is currently placed at the bottom of the points table in IPL7. At present, Ahmed is the spin bowling coach for the England cricket team. However, he clarified that he has informed the ECB about his application to the Pakistan Cricket Board.

43-year-old Mushtaq revealed that he had received a mail from DD’s head coach Gary Kirsten, asking him to join the team for the remaining part of the IPL. Mushtaq had coached Delhi Daredevils in their previous season.

“Unfortunately, I couldn’t say yes to Gary because I am waiting to know whether the PCB will accept my application for the spin bowling consultant position. Also I really wanted to spend some quality time with my family which I have not been able to do for a while now due to my commitments with the England team,” Mushtaq reportedly said to PTI.

Ahmed also backed Gary Kirsten and said that it is not possible for Kirsten to turn things around overnight for the Daredevils.

“He is a good coach but even he will require time to put Delhi back on track. Improvement does not happen overnight,” he said.

When asked about Delhi Daredevils’ current situation in the IPL, Mushtaq, fondly known as ‘Mushy’, said: “The IPL is a major event and obviously the pressures are great. But with Kevin Pietersen also not scoring big runs obviously Delhi is not having the best of times this season.”

“I am keen to work with the Pakistan team and at the National cricket academy and I informed Moores that for me now serving national interest was primary. In England where I have spent so many years it is customary to inform about any new possible assignment atleast two to three weeks in advance,” he said in regard to his application to the PCB.

When asked about Peter Moores, he said: “I have played under him at Sussex for four years and I know he is good.”