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India beat Pakistan by six wickets in the ongoing Champions Trophy, and Saqlain Mushtaq’s comments have raised quite a few eyebrows.
‘Play 10 Tests, ODIs & T20Is Against Pakistan’: Saqlain Mushtaq Challenges India (Picture credit: AFP)
Former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has thrown an open challenge at India, asking them to play 10 Tests, ODIs and T20Is each against his country to seal their spot as a ‘really’ good cricketing nation.
Mushtaq said that if this multi-format bilateral series happens, reality will come to the forefront regarding which team is better between the two.
India beat Pakistan by six wickets in the ongoing Champions Trophy, and Mushtaq’s comments have raised quite a few eyebrows.
“If we keep political things aside, their players are outstanding and they have been playing good cricket,” Mushtaq said while speaking on 24 News HD. Watch the viral video here:
Saqlain Mushtaq’s challengeIf u are truly a good team, play 10 Test matches, 10 ODIs,10 T20Is against us and it will become clear (who is the best). If we (Pakistan) prepare well and make the right decisions, we will be able to give a solid response to India and the world.” pic.twitter.com/TsNupIklDX
— Varun Giri (@Varungiri0) March 1, 2025
“If you are a good team, I think let’s play 10 Tests, 10 ODIs and 10 T20Is against Pakistan, then everything would become clear,” Mushtaq added.
The former Pakistan off-spinner, who has almost 500 wickets in international cricket, said that if his country gets the preparations correct, then the team can become a force to be reckoned with in international cricket.
“If we get our preparation right and sort out things in the right direction, then we will be in a situation where we can give solid answers to the world and India as well,” Mushtaq said.
Pakistan were eliminated from the home Champions Trophy after failing to win a single match. Their last group-stage game against Bangladesh was washed off.
Disgruntled fans are now calling for sweeping changes in Pakistan’s cricket structure beginning from the very top of the pyramid, days after the first global tournament in Pakistan in almost three decades began.
This marks the third straight time Pakistan has bowed out in the group stages of a global white-ball tournament, after early exits from the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2023 ODI World Cup.
At a time when sides have embraced a fearless, aggressive approach, Pakistan seemed to be stuck in the past.
Pakistan’s issues were glaring, as they showed no urgency, playing a staggering 161 dot deliveries against New Zealand in Rawalpindi and 147 against India in Dubai.
Poor shot selection, substandard fielding and injuries have deepened Pakistan’s problems. The loss of game-changing opener Fakhar Zaman to injury left a massive void at the top.
For more in-depth coverage of the Champions Trophy, check out the latest Points Table to see where your favorite team stands. Stay updated on the tournament’s top performers with the Most Runs and Most Wickets leaderboards. Keep following for all the latest updates!
