Pakistan will come hard to avoid the embarrassment of clean sweep against Bangladesh, said bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed, as they face the hosts in the third and final match of the three-match series today. The visitors were made red in the first two matches, which Bangladesh won by whopping 79 runs and seven-wicket to raise the prospect of their first clean sweep over the side.Leg-spinner Mushtaq, a member of 1992 World Cup winning squad, said all is not lost for the visitors and they can turn the things up anytime.
‘We have to believe that we have the ability to change things,’ Mushtaq told reporters in Mirpur on Tuesday. ‘We have a new team with plenty of youngsters. It is a matter of one good innings and one very good spell that can turn everything.
‘We will play hard and positive cricket,’ said Mushtaq.
Mushtaq, who completed his international career in 2003 and later worked with the Pakistan and England team as bowling consultant, was feeling the pain after seeing his side conceding the series with a match to play.
‘It is hurting,’ he said. ‘The game moves on and the brand of cricket is totally different now. When you are hurt you look at positive things. We have two newcomers who got fifties in the two games.
‘There are plenty of positives in our dressing-room so we have
to focus on those rather than negatives.
‘We got to remember our strength. We are used to the conditions. It is just a matter of confidence. We have to give credit to Bangladesh. They are a confident side.
‘I think our bowlers and batsmen are very positive and want to deliver the best,’ said Mushtaq.
Mushtaq had full confidence in off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who is far from his best in the series after returning to international cricket by remodeling his bowling action.
‘He is a tough cookie,’ said Mushtaq. ‘He came out when people think he cannot make it.
‘He changed his action with which he has been bowling for last 20 years. Suddenly he has to change. Credit goes to all the people who worked with him – the NCA, the analysts, Saqlain [Mushtaq].
‘The he came out with good temperament. He was not successful but I know he is confident to bowl well in the upcoming matches.
Mushtaq however is still unsure if Ajaml can be same bowler he was which saw him bamboozling batsmen with Doosra, one of the most difficult arts of cricket.
Ajmal hardly bowled any Doosra in the first two matches and had to content with just one wicket.
‘Time can tell,’ said Mushtaq, commenting on Ajmal’s chance of returning to his best. ‘His variation is not there yet. He is working hard in the nets. He is discussing a few things.
‘Hopefully the lack of confidence in the last two games will go away if he can pick three wickets in one over,’ he added.
-With New Age input
