By late May Sussex were pinching themselves. In four successive Championship wins, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Mushtaq Ahmed did their usual unfair share by taking 63 of the 80 wickets. Collectively they harvested seven five-fors and two of the country�..s five first-class 10-fors (as of May 30), averaging 13. But rumours that Mushie is trying to qualify for England are charmingly but firmly quashed. �..No,�.� he says with a grin. �..Where�..d that come from?�.�

The cricket manager Mark Robinson praised his wristspinner�..s forbearance at Hove after the Nottinghamshire keeper Chris Read, riled by Mushtaq�..s not infrequent appealing, attacked him on the boundary. �..What did Read mean when he apologized for �..my part in the incident�..?�.� wonders Robinson. �..He was the incident. But Mushie went out of his way to speak on his behalf. All he wanted to do was to talk about God and love.�.�

And what, apart from skill, brains and unquenchable enthusiasm, is Naved�..s secret? Colleagues believe they may have spotted something Duncan Fletcher might care to note. Just before delivering the ball he rotates it with a sturdy right thumb, deceiving batsmen trying to detect which side he soaks for reverse-swing.
Rob Steen, The Wisden Cricketer