Former Pakistan cricketer Mushtaq Ahmed would love to take up a coaching role with the national side, but he has also expressed apprehensions about the lack of respect and uncertainty that might come with the position. Over the past few days, Pakistan team has been embroiled in a massive turmoil following the side’s big defeats against England in the opening two Test matches of the ongoing three-match series. Taking a powerful step after the team's defeats, the Pakistan Cricket Board decided to axe seven players, along with the head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul.
“I would love to do that for my country, of course," Mushtaq Ahmed said on the BBC Stumped Podcast.
“Especially at this time. Obviously, I need only one thing. Sometimes you get scared of working for your own country when the people don't respect you and they sack you because of a decisions here and there… When you see those things, people getting sacked on a tour, you get worried and scared," he added.
Among the players sent home were senior players Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, and Salman Ali Agha. Meanwhile, in Sarfaraz Ahmed’s absence, PCB brought in white-ball head coach Mike Hesson to oversee the proceedings in the third test.
“I think those are the things that, if you can get that sorted, I think every Pakistani cricketer who is coaching, not only myself, they'd love to serve the country. This is the best time for me to take that challenge and bring those players to their best, make them confident about international cricket, and make a unit that can actually challenge opposition teams," Mushtaq said.
Mushtaq also was not in favour of the board’s decision to release seven players midway through the series.
“Changing seven players and the management, especially with the tour still going on, I feel that this is not the right thing,” Mushtaq said.
“This has never happened in Pakistan cricket before. Obviously, I’m hurt as an ex-cricketer, as a Pakistani, these things should not happen. Sarfaraz and Umar Gul, they are some of the most experienced cricketers. They serve the country very well. Sarfaraz was a captain also. If you want to sack them, obviously, you have to sack them after the tour. This is the time to stay calm, don’t make rash decisions," Mushtaq added.