South Asian Heritage Month: Mushtaq Ahmed

South Asian Heritage Month runs from July 18th to August 17th each year.

SAHM seeks to commemorate, mark and celebrate South Asian cultures, histories, and communities and seeks to understand the diverse heritage and cultures that continue to link the UK with South Asia.

To mark the occasion, we will be posting articles which look back at players and matches that link Somerset with South Asia.

Today we focus on Pakistan’s Mushtaq Ahmed.

On January 5th, 1987 a diminutive 16-year-old spinner made his First Class debut for Multan against Hyderabad in a three-day Presidents Cup match at the Biscuit Factory Ground, Sahiwal. He claimed three for 61 and scored 75 to help his side to a comprehensive victory by an innings and 35 runs.

Little did those present know that they had witnessed the start of what was to be a remarkable career.

Later that year he announced himself to the world by claiming six for 81 for the Punjab Chief Minister’s XI against the touring England side. Among his victims that day were Tim Robinson, Bill Athey, David Capel, Phil DeFreitas and John Emburey.

The following year he was the joint leading wicket taker at the Under 19 World Cup as Pakistan reached the final. During the tournament he collected 19 wickets at an average of just 16.21. Before the year was out he claimed his first recorded First Class 10-wicket haul, finishing with 14 for 82 against Peshawar.

1989 saw “Mushie” rewarded with his International debut in an ODI against Sri Lanka at Sharjah where he claimed two for 33 as his side triumphed by 30 runs. His Test debut followed in early 1990.

1992 was a memorable year for Pakistan as they lifted the World Cup, famously overcoming England in the final during which Mushtaq Ahmed claimed three wickets including that of Graeme Hick who was bamboozled by a classic Mushtaq googly.

1992 was also the year that Somerset supporters got their first real taste of what he had to offer as the touring Pakistan side visited the Cooper Associates County Ground. The tourists overcame Somerset by five wickets, with Mushtaq claiming eight wickets in the three-day fixture.

By May the following year, the master of the googly had signed for Somerset and made his debut in a dramatic one-wicket victory over Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in the B&H Cup.

It was however his County Championship debut that will live rather longer in the memory of Somerset Members and supporters. It was a match that also saw the debut of a young batter named Marcus Trescothick and will be remembered for Andy Caddick’s match winning performance, which the protagonist of this article rather spoiled (if you speak to Mr Caddick, that is!).

Lancashire were the visitors to Taunton and had dismissed their hosts for just 195. In reply, Lancashire were all out for 222 with Mushtaq claiming four for 40. Batting for a second time, Somerset again struggled and were all out for 114.

The visitors required just 88 to win, but Caddick took nine for 32 as Somerset won a dramatic encounter by 15 runs. Who was the bowler to claim the other Somerset wicket and deny Caddick the perfect scorecard? You guessed it!

“Mushie” remained with Somerset until the end of the 1998 season and during his time with the Club he featured in 62 First Class matches, claiming 289 wickets at an average of 26.32 with a best of seven for 91. He also played in 82 List A matches for the County, taking 97 wickets at 25.40 with a best of seven for 24.

He returned to English cricket in the 2000s for spells with Surry and Sussex, and in 2003 he claimed 103 wickets as the County by the sea claimed their first Championship title.

Knee injuries put a stop to his playing career in 2008, after which he had successful coaching roles with the ECB, Pakistan and Surry amongst others.

His career stats are impressive.

He claimed a total of 185 Test wickets at an average of 32.97 with a best of seven for 56.

161 ODI wickets were taken at an average 33.29 with a best of five for 36.

In First Class cricket he took 10 wickets in a match on 32 occasions.

He was named as one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year in 1997 and was awarded his Somerset County Cap in 1993.

He will forever be remembered fondly by the Somerset faithful.

No one could appeal quite like “Mushie”!