 Mushtaq is the leading County Championship wicket-taker this year |
Pakistan are looking increasingly likely to turn to Mushtaq Ahmed for the second Test against England at Old Trafford starting on 27 July. Mushtaq, who has 53 wickets in county cricket this season, returned to duty for Sussex against Middlesex on Wednesday after a neck problem.
Team manager Zaheer Abbas, who has spoken to Mushtaq, said: "He has been playing here and has done very well."
Leg-spinner Mushtaq, 36, said: "I told him I'm fully fit and available."
Both Mushtaq and Abbas believe a final decision will be reached before the end of the week.
The slow bowler first appeared in a Test for his country in 1990 and has played 52 matches, taking 185 wickets.
But his last Test was in October 2003, so he has never played under the regime of coach Bob Woolmer.
If he was to play at Old Trafford - a ground that traditionally favours spinners in Test matches - Pakistan would have three leg-spinners agains England.
Sussex have a replacement lined up. His compatriot and fellow leggie Imran Tahir has already played some matches in their second XI.
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