Cricket

Mushtaq groomed as Pakistan coach

From correspondents in Karachi
September 15, 2006

WEEKS after failing to get a recall on Pakistan's tour of England, leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has been chosen as the national team's new assistant coach.

"Mushtaq has been appointed assistant coach for the ICC (International Cricket Council) Champions Trophy. It's only for one tour," Cricket Board spokesman Abbas Zaidi said.

The 36-year-old Mushtaq has been in top form for Sussex in England, having taken 89 wickets for them in the 2006 season, and was widely tipped for a recall during Pakistan's recently concluded Test series in England.

Mushtaq played the most recent of his 52 Tests in 2003. He has 185 Test and 161 one-day wickets.

His latest appointment was apparently at the request of Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and coach Bob Woolmer, as they want a former player to be groomed as Woolmer's eventual successor.

Woolmer's tenure is set to end after next year's World Cup in the West Indies.

AAP