Abu Dhabi T10: Bowlers need to be large-hearted in this format, says Gladiators coach Mushtaq Ahmed
Nov 23, 2021
Abu Dhabi [UAE], November 23 : Deccan Gladiators head coach Mushtaq Ahmed, who has helped his team record a 24-run victory over Chennai Braves in their first match of Season 5 of Abu Dhabi T10, expressed that bowlers need to have good temperament in the T10 format.
"Temperament is very important in the T10 format. Bowlers need to be large-hearted in this competition in order to execute their plans. The batters go after the bowlers, especially the spinners, from the very first ball. As a coach, I have always told my bowlers to have large hearts and go for wickets," he said in an official release.
When asked about his experience of working with T20 star Wanindu Hasaranga, Mushtaq said: "It has been great to work with Wanindu Hasaranga. I have shared some of my knowledge about leg-spin with him. We have been discussing a lot about his bowling. We have spoken about variations, how to use the leg-break and the googly and how to use the crease. I have told him that he needs to turn the ball both ways. We have been talking about leg-spin angles as well."
The former Pakistan leg-spinner further expressed that a coach in the Abu Dhabi T10 needs to think out-of-the-box. "There's a big change in coaching style when a coach switches from one format to the other. While our team bats, we ask four-five batsmen to pad up and be ready to walk into the ground. We send our batsmen according to the situation of the game. A coach has to be very proactive and take out-of-the-box decisions in T10."
Mushtaq also said that the Deccan Gladiators could go all the way in the Abu Dhabi T10 if the players play to their potential.
"Every team is dangerous in T10. No team can be taken lightly. If a batsman plays well for two overs, then he takes the match away from you. A team has to believe in itself to win a tournament. Our team is very strong; however, we have to play our best cricket. We need to plan well for all of our matches and we should know the strengths and weaknesses of our opponents. I think we can go all the way if our players play to their potential," he said.
