Could Mushtaq spin Sussex to the title?
Lancashire were eliminated from the race for the 2003 County Championship race when they lost to Sussex last week.
But they could yet have a big say in one of the most exciting run-ins in years as Surrey and Sussex slug it out for top honours.
Both teams must face Warren Hegg's side before the end of the season, and results in those games may decide which way the pendulum swings.
Below, we give our predictions for the six key games that will shape the outcome of the summer campaign.
26 August, Lancashire v Surrey
These two teams met at The Oval on the opening round of the season, and though Surrey were made to follow on the match ended in a draw.
Lancashire piled up 599 runs batting first, and, as they have done for the entire season, should make lots of runs again, especially at home.
Surrey will find it difficult to twice dismiss a line-up which includes Mark Chilton, Mal Loye, Iain Sutcliffe, Stuart Law and Carl Hooper.
The difference this time around is Lancashire will be without England paceman James Anderson, who took five wickets at The Oval.
Prediction: Honours even again
4 September, Kent v Surrey
Another tough road trip for the defending champions.
They recorded a hollow victory over Kent at home in early July, but things were very different then.
Since the arrival of Sri Lankan wizard Muttiah Muralitharan, Kent have won each of their three Championship games, albeit against last season's three promoted teams.
England could again call on the services of paceman Martin Bicknell, though Surrey have such depth that it might not pose a problem.
Prediction: So much will depend on Murali, but Surrey might sneak it
5 September, Sussex v Middlesex
Sussex face the best of last season's promoted teams and the draw specialists, who actually won when these two teams met at Lord's in April.
The landscape has changed dramatically since then, however.
Middlesex have become win-shy, Sussex's top-order is functioning much better and Mushtaq Ahmed has become a consistent match-winner since acclimatising.
Sussex are undefeated at home this season, and have not lost in the Championship since May.
Prediction: Maximum points for Sussex
10 September, Lancashire v Sussex
Hegg's Lancashire are out of the race, but they have a part to play
Just three weeks will have passed since Sussex brushed Lancashire aside by 252 runs at Hove.
It would seem reasonable to expect Sussex to confirm the form, but perhaps not so to expect skipper Chris Adams to score two centuries again.
Then again, he may not have to if Pakistani leg-spinner Mushtaq takes 11 wickets in the match again. In current heart, it would be unwise to say the Championship's leading wicket-taker cannot.
Prediction: A tight one, but Sussex is the call
17 September, Surrey v Essex
Surrey humbled Essex at Chelmsford in May and the result will be no different here.
If anything, Essex have gone backwards since then with their out-of-sorts batting and ramshackle attack.
Prediction: Easy does it for Surrey
17 September, Sussex v Leicestershire
Grace Road could be seen as Surrey's stumbling block after the Foxes forced a high-scoring draw there this week.
By contrast, Sussex came away from the East Midlands with a five-wicket victory in mid-July, Mushtaq taking 10 wickets in the match.
Away from home Phil DeFreitas' side will need to once again be at their best if they are to turn the tables on Sussex.
The Championship could come down to this game, so Sussex will be fired up against a side who could already be relegated by then.
Prediction: Sussex won't fluff their lines
VERDICT: Lancashire will undoubtedly have a huge say, and if they can hold Surrey to a draw the title could be Sussex's for the stealing.
come on sussex!
