Mushtaq Ahmed Returns to Bangladesh for ICC Champions Trophy

Former Pakistan leg-spinner and one of the heroes of the 1992 World Cup, Mushtaq Ahmed, has returned to Bangladesh. The former Pakistani cricketer is rejoining his previous role as the spin bowling coach for the Bangladesh national team for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Mushtaq was seen at Mirpur today during Bangladesh’s first training camp for the tournament.

Mushtaq Ahmed worked with the Bangladesh team during the home Test series against South Africa last October. After the series, he returned to Pakistan and was not part of Bangladesh’s Sharjah tour, where Bangladesh lost the ODI series 2-1 to Afghanistan.

Mushtaq was also absent from the West Indies tour, where Bangladesh did not have his services either. However, he will serve as the bowling consultant for the Bangladesh team during the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, where he will be a key figure on both Pakistan and Dubai's pitches, guiding the Tigers in their spin bowling strategy.

The 53-year-old Mushtaq Ahmed shifted his focus to coaching after his playing career. He has served as the spin bowling coach for England from 2008 to 2014, West Indies from 2018 to 2019, and Pakistan from 2020 to 2022. Additionally, he was the bowling consultant for Pakistan between 2014 and 2016.

Bangladesh is placed in Group B for the Champions Trophy, which also includes India, Pakistan, and New Zealand. Bangladesh will start their campaign in Dubai with a match against India on February 20. After that, they will move on to Pakistan.

On February 24, Bangladesh will face New Zealand in Rawalpindi for their second match. Three days later, they will play against the host nation, Pakistan.

Bangladesh Squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy:

Nazmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Zaker Ali Onik, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.