Mushtaq Ahmad backs Graeme Swann as key weapon against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755
Mushtaq Ahmed, England’s spin bowling coach has backed Graeme Swann as the key weapon against Pakistan for the upcoming NPower Test Series starting on Thursday. Ahmed praised the performance of Swann and his attacking approach which could be fruitful in helping England gain the edge over Pakistan. Mushtaq claimed that Swann’s aggressive approach has given a new outlook to the English bowling attack.
Mushtaq, while praising Swann’s ability, warned that the Pakistani batsmen will be full of confidence after their victory against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 at Headingley. Pakistan defeated Australia in second test match of the series which is expected to act as a morale booster since boys in green received this famous victory after a gap of almost 15 years. It was a superb bowling performance by Pakistan’s pace attack that bowled Australia out on a meager 88 runs in the first innings of the second test match.
Mushtaq was a seasonal leg spinner, who played 52 test matches and 144 ODI’s for Pakistan. The chubby leg spinner picked up 185 wickets in just 52 test games. Currently, Mushtaq is settled in England and is providing coaching services to help England’s spin bowling department. Ahmed was influential in Pakistan’s consecutive series victories against England in the 1992 and 1996 tours. He currently finds himself in a mixed situation, where he is supporting both teams to go for victory. However, Ahmad has preferred to take a professional approach and wants England to perform.
"Swanny has changed everything in the last year or so," Mushtaq told the media. "He's singlehandedly won lots of games for England in all different conditions, and played a brilliant role for the art of finger spin. One thing is for sure, not many off spinners have the potential like he has. You can see his variety - he's a big spinner of the ball but he gets drift, and he has a repertoire of straight balls as well, and that makes him a very difficult bowler from a batting point of view.”
Mushtaq further added that Swann’s batting skills will be an added advantage for the English team. Swann averages around 30 runs per game in his career, spanning over 20 test matches. Graeme was England’s leading wicket taker in their successful campaign of the recently held T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. Mushtaq said that many youngsters will follow Swann and will try to bowl some finger spin against a confident Pakistani batting line up. Swann made his test debut against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in 2008 and has so far taken 91 wickets from 20 test matches.
England’s 12-man squad announced for the first test match will only have one spinner. With hot and dry conditions likely to follow in the days to come, chances are that England might play two spinners in the latter part of the series. England will be playing the Ashes series against Australia later this year for which the English selectors are yet to make up their minds about the final test squad. Another quality spinner in the shape of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sussex-c852 and is hoping to get his rhythm back.
Panesar was dropped from English side last summer after the first Ashes test at Cardiff. His bowling was completely off colour as he hardly tested any batsman. He was subsequently not picked for the series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 in 2010. England’s spin bowling Coach Mushtaq Ahmad believes, Monty’s time on sidelines has helped him regain his past rhythm.
"We have had some communication with him, but overall it is good for people to go and find out their own game sometimes," said Mushtaq. "It's important for them to learn for themselves what they are lacking, basically. Monty has gone back to Sussex, where he's in good hands with an excellent coach in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mark-Robinson-c74734, and where Michael Yardy is a friend and his captain. The last time I saw him he was happy and enjoying his cricket, and that's why he's performing."
Mushtaq Ahmed will also be devising a game-plan on how to handle http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292. The former leg-spinner for Pakistan admitted that Aamer is full of talent but stressed that he will have to consistently perform in order to match Akram’s class.
Tags: