Bangladesh's spin-bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed is close to signing a two-year contract extension with the Tigers. The former Pakistan spin wizard left to be with his family in Lahore after Bangladesh's final ICC Champions Trophy group-stage fixture got washed out in Rawalpindi but had a chat with The Daily Star's Samsul Arefin Khan about Bangladesh's disappointing campaign in the global event and some of the factors that contributed to it. The excerpts are as follows:

The Daily Star (DS):  How disappointed are you about Bangladesh's Champions Trophy campaign?

Mushtaq Ahmed (MA): I am not disappointed really. Yes, we didn't win the matches but there were close matches. If we had 30-40 more runs in both the matches, then it could have been a different ball game.  

DS: Bangladesh always have high expectations whenever they go into an ICC event. Do you feel it's justified?

MA:  I think so, why not? If you see the Bangladeshi talents, the fast bowling, the spin department and the batting, they are ticking boxes in all the departments. But the most beautiful thing with the Bangladesh team is they are a young side that can challenge any team. You can see glimpses of that now.

Against India, we scored 220-230 runs and they were almost challenging them. It was not an easy game. New Zealand also struggled against Bangladesh. If we had that run out, I mean ifs and buts always come in cricket. You can see the challenge was there. They just have to believe and learn a few things like how to rotate the strike in the middle overs, and how to get wickets in the middle overs.

DS: Teams are scoring 300-350 runs regularly, whereas Bangladesh are stuck in the 250-270 region. How much is it letting them down every game?

MA: I think getting [big] scores is very important. There is no denying that. I think the guys have been talking to each other and they have been very honest. They know this is the area they need to improve.

I believe they just need to get the hang of building partnerships and how to play the 50-over format. I think of 50-over cricket as mini-Test cricket. You have to understand the phases of the game. I think there are three to four phases in batting that they need to learn how to play in.

All the good teams, why do they get 300 runs? They score these runs not with boundaries but they score singles and doubles; they learn sweeps and reverse sweeps as well. 

DS: Do you think the senior duo of Mahmudullah Riyad and Mushfiqur Rahim not performing had an impact on Bangladesh's results in the tournament?

MA: I think Mahmudullah and Mushi [Mushfiqur] have served the country for many many years. So, they have more responsibilities for sure.

When your senior players start scoring runs, it gives a lot of advantage to young players. I think Mushi and Mahmudullah were key players for Bangladesh in this tournament but unfortunately, they couldn't deliver. They were very disappointed, to be honest. Both of them were very down after the game because they knew that they could've played differently.

DS: Do you see them in the 2027 World Cup as well?

MA: You can't close the door for anyone as long as they are fit. Obviously, the skills are there. If you are 37-39, it doesn't matter. Lots of players, within a similar age group, are playing international matches like Virat Kohli and Adil Rashid because they are really fit. I believe that you've got to prepare for the upcoming World Cup with the youngsters but you've also got to balance the side with senior players.  

DS: Updates on your contract extension with the Tigers?

MA: I have been very lucky to have different options but I chose Bangladesh. I'm going to sign a two-year or three-year contract. I think I will be joining Bangladesh in their series against Pakistan in May.

My manager is talking to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). I might have to work 130-140 days per year. The BCB will also determine the capacity of my work. I think my role will be to work with local spinners to build bench strength.