I believe in speed and staying straight: Abid Mushtaq
Cricketer Abid Mushtaq discusses his performance in the Duleep Trophy and his evolution as a left-arm spinner. He credits his success to improved infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir and a disciplined approach to bowling.
Why it matters
The development of sports infrastructure in regional areas is enabling athletes from non-traditional hubs to compete at a national level.
In Jammu & Kashmir’s historic Ranji Trophy triumph in 2025-26, Abid Mushtaq was a silent warrior. In ten matches, he took only 20 wickets, and in the knock-out stages, just four from three games.
But on day two of North Zone’s Duleep Trophy quarterfinal versus West Zone, the left-arm spinner showed his real worth by picking up his 10th First Class five-wicket haul (five for 39).
The 29-year-old was indeed helped by a red-soil pitch that gripped and offered sufficient turn. But Abid also displayed sufficient guile and control, without getting carried away.
“I try to bowl within the stumps and it’s very difficult to play that,” Abid told reporters on Monday. “My plan is to use the crease. Sometimes I bowl from height, and sometimes from the base. I believe in [higher] speed and staying straight.”
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in