Former captain and coach of Pakistan cricket workforce Mushtaq Mohammad is chatting with Geo Information throughout an interview. — Reporter
BIRMINGHAM: Former captain and coach of Pakistan cricket workforce Mushtaq Mohammad says he feels extraordinarily pleased with making it into the Pakistan Cricket Board’s Corridor of Fame. Represented Pakistan in 57 checks from 1959-1979, Mushtaq scored 3,643 runs and took 79 wickets. In 1959 when he made his take a look at debut towards West Indies whereas he was simply 15 years and 124 days previous, he turned the youngest cricketer to play take a look at cricket.
“I’m extremely grateful to the Pakistan Cricket Board that they’ve included me into this prestigious club which includes all the past great cricketers of Pakistan this indeed is a proud moment for myself”.
Mushtaq, now 81 years previous, comes from probably the most adorned cricketing household of all time. His elder brothers Wazir Mohammad and Hanif Mohammad (late) in addition to youthful brother Sadiq Mohammad and nephew Shoaib Mohammad additionally represented Pakistan internationally, whereas his different elder brother Wazir Rares Mohammad (late) was a particularly aggressive first-class cricketer.
Actually late Hanif Mohammad was and nonetheless is considered the largest cricketing icon of Pakistan cricket, who was additionally made a part of Corridor of Fame in 2021. Paying tribute to his brother Hanif Mohamed, Mushtaq mentioned that it’s a proud second for him and the household that each brothers are actually entered into PCB’s Corridor of Fame.
“Hanif bhai is an icon of Pakistan cricket and of course of our family too. Such a great cricketer belongs to our family and is without doubt an honour for our family. His services to Pakistan cricket, not only as a player, but also as an administrator are second to none. He’s given great performances for Pakistan all over the world”.
Like others, Mushtaq can be very excited in regards to the upcoming ICC Champion’s trophy which Pakistan will likely be internet hosting from February 19. He termed it as not solely a terrific second for Pakistan cricket but in addition for the followers and gamers.
“I’m very excited that I will be watching our team in action on home soil in a global cricketing tournament. Like all others, I am also hoping and praying that our boys will not only do well but will defend the title too. As a home team, we should and must do well in this tournament as it will be extremely beneficial for the future of cricket in Pakistan”.
“Great cricket players from all over the world will be coming to Pakistan and watching them in action will not only encourage the budding cricketers but also the cricket fans to come to the stadiums and watch them play in this prestigious tournament, the first to take place in Pakistan since 1996 cricket World Cup”.
Regardless of his greatest needs for the house workforce to do properly within the match Mushtaq additionally has some reservations over the squad alternatives, particularly the shortage of one other common spin bowling possibility which makes the bowling assault of Pakistan weaker in comparison with the batting. However he thinks that the inclusion of all-rounders within the squad will likely be helpful as they’ve carried out properly in ICC tournaments.
“I’m not fully satisfied with the squad selection. In my opinion, a couple of players who have made it into the squad shouldn’t be there. Our batting is looking stronger compared to the bowling attack but hopefully, the number of all-rounders chosen in the squad will do well”
“Under the conditions of Pakistan, in my opinion, our team is a spinner short in the squad, Especially someone like Sajid Khan who’s done well for Pakistan in home conditions in recent months. He’s not only a genuine off-spinner but also bats well in lower down the batting order as number 8 or 9. Not having someone like Sajid Khan in the squad is not fair to him. Whatever the squad, now our responsibility is to back these players”, he added additional.
“Indian cricket team should have come to Pakistan, the entire cricketing world wanted them to come to Pakistan. I can’t understand what their issue is. We have proven in the past that we are excellent hosts who always look after the visiting teams in the best possible manner. Pakistan always go to India without raising any objections but when it’s time for Indians to visit Pakistan they always make lame excuses to not come to Pakistan”.
“Their attitude is not good for the game of cricket especially for the cricket fans in Pakistan as they will be deprived of watching Indian players who’re without doubt among the best in the world in action in front of them. Indian team has a huge fan following in Pakistan and for them, it is very disheartening”.
