Mushtaq Ahmed set to join Delhi Daredevils

Tuesday, 12 February 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Mushtaq Ahmed, the former Pakistan legspinner, is on the verge of joining the Delhi Daredevils as a spin-bowling consultant for the 2013 IPL season. Mushtaq signed the year-long contract recently, and is now waiting for the final paperwork to be delivered.

“I have been offered a one-year deal,” Mushtaq told ESPNcricinfo. “I have accepted it but the deal is yet to be finalised and is in process as written documentation is currently being exchanged.”

After retiring from the game in 2008, Mushtaq has been the spin-bowling coach with the England team.

The ECB employed him on a consultancy basis so he is free to work for other organisations when not busy with England.

The Daredevils, who missed out on the finals last year after losing to Chennai Super Kings in the play-off, wanted to beef up their support staff.

Before the auction, they had identified the lack of quality slow bowlers as a perceived gap in the squad.

South African offspinner Johan Botha and Sri Lankan legspinner Jeevan Mendis were duly bought to join the unheralded Shahbaz Nadeem, the left-arm spinner, who was impressive last year.

Mushtaq will pair up with Eric Simmons, the former South Africa bowler, who is the head coach at the Daredevils. He will also be the second Pakistan player to be involved in a coaching role in the IPL; Wasim Akram has been working with the Kolkata Knight Riders as a fast-bowling consultant from the first season.