Mushtaq Ahmed hopeful of recall

Drawing heart from the recent recall of veteran bowler Arshad Khan for the India series, Pakistan's forgotten leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed is eyeing to make a comeback to the national team in near future.

The 34-year-old bowler says he has dropped his retirement plans while revealing that he had been offered a two-year contract by English county side Sussex.

"They don't offer contracts to every Tom, Dick and Harry. I must be capable of playing quality cricket, that's why they signed me. And this is the driving force behind my ambition to play for Pakistan again," he told PTI.

"The fire is still burning in the belly to represent Pakistan again and that is why I accepted another two-year contract with Sussex after spending with them the last two years.

"Secondly, if Arshad Khan can be recalled after more than four years, I also stand a chance to get the selectors' call any time," said Mushtaq, who was the mainstay of a strong Pakistan lineup during the 90s and played the last of his 52 Tests against South Africa nearly 15 months ago.

Named Wisden Cricketer of the year in 1997, Mushtaq also played for Somerset between 1993 and 1998 before spending a year with Surrey in 2002.

"I wish I could have toured India with this Pakistan team. But never mind, I am now eyeing a return against England later this year when they tour Pakistan and I think I do better against them because I have played with them and know their style and technique more than anyone else," said the player, who lost his place to Danish Kaneria during England's last tour of Pakistan in 2000.