BBC SPORT | Cricket | Mushtaq feels the power

Mushtaq Ahmed believes that this weekend's two Power Cricket Cup matches at the Millennium Stadium will help boost cricket's popularity.

The Pakistan leg-spinner will turn out for a Rest of the World team against an all-star British side at Cardiff in the fast-paced version of cricket.

"This is a great idea to bring the youngsters into the ground because all the stars from different countries are playing together against local English and Welsh stars," Mushtaq said.

Hussain rebuts indoor critics

"It is a very good stadium, something different in a player's career and I think it will be very enjoyable."

The sides will play on Friday and Saturday evening in matches consisting of four 15-over innings, plus special bonus runs for big hits into the higher tiers of seats.

Although the leg-spinner admits the matches under the closed roof of the Millennium Stadium might not appeal to cricket purists, the aim is to bring the sport to a new audience - and for the players to have fun.

England skipper Nasser Hussain leads a British side containing five players who are in the Ashes squad, while New Zealand's Stephen Fleming is in charge of a star-studded World team.

Saqlain Mushtaq has been prefered by Pakistan

Local support is also guaranteed by the inclusion of three Glamorgan players, including Ashes tourist Simon Jones, on merit after the Dragons won the Norwich Union League Division One title.

Such a high profile outing might also help Mushtaq, who has become the forgotten man of Pakistan cricket because of their preference to play off-spinner Saqlain Mustaq instead.

Mushtaq was even forced to turn out for Little Stoke in the North Staffordshire and South Cheshire Cricket League this summer as he was ignored by the English First Class Counties.

A surprise call from Surrey in August - ironically to replace Saqlain, who left to play for Pakistan - showed the little leggie had lost none of his talent with a haul of wickets.

While Mushtaq looks to return from the international wilderness, should he play for Pakistan against England again one day he says that Wales deserves to host such a major match.

"The people in Wales love their sports," Mushtaq added. "They do enjoy the cricket, rugby, football and all things.

"When you know that people love the game you should organise more one-dayers and more Test cricket in these places.

"That is because you can then pull great crowds and draw good future talent out of your country."

Morgan to lead ECB

With former Glamorgan chairman David Morgan's confirmation as the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board on Friday, that suggestion seems likely to be acted upon in the future.

Morgan is keen for England's matches to be spread around Britain, with Durham set to host a Test match next year.

That could pave the way for the likes of Sophia Gardens in Cardiff to host a major England international, especially given the success of the England v Wales match held this season.

Great Britain squad:
Nasser Hussain (Essex, capt), Ally Brown (Surrey), Dominic Cork (Derbyshire), John Crawley (Hampshire), Robert Croft (Glamorgan), Mark Ealham (Kent), Matthew Fleming (Kent), James Foster (Essex), David Fulton (Kent), Adam Hollioake (Surrey), Ronni Irani (Essex), Simon Jones (Glamorgan), Rob Key (Kent), Matthew Maynard (Glamorgan), Martin Saggers (Kent), Robin Smith (Hampshire).

Rest of the World:
Stephen Fleming (New Zealand, capt), Shahid Afridi (Pakistan), Mushtaq Ahmed (Pakistan), Wasim Akram (Pakistan), Saeed Anwar (Pakistan), Nathan Astle (New Zealand), Shane Bond (New Zealand), Andy Flower (Zimbabwe), J'ayawardene (Sri Lanka), Amjad Khan (Denmark), Azhar Mamood (Pakistan), Muttiah Muralitharian (Sri Lanka), Aravinda da Silva (Sri Lanka), Kuma Sangakkara (Sri Lanka), Youvraj Singh (India), Javagal Srinath (India), Courtney Walsh (West Indies).


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