Pakistan cricket team during Champions Trophy 2025.© AFP
Pakistan’s spin-bowling Saqlain Mushtaq legend has criticized India and the country’s national cricket team. Mushtaq, who claimed over 496 international wickets for Pakistan, expressed his disappointment while talking to a neighborhood news channel regarding India’s stand over Champions Trophy 2025 and its means of providing visas. Notably, Team India decided to not travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025. In consequence, the International Cricket Council approved Dubai because the host for all of India’s matches throughout the tournament. If India make it to the semi-finals and final of the event, the actual matches may even be held in Dubai.
The Indian cricket team last travelled to Pakistan during Asia Cup in 2008. Since then, the side has not visited the country attributable to increased political tensions between the 2 nations. India and Pakistan played their last bilateral series back in 2012-13.
Citing all these issues, Mushtaq has asked Pakistan to take a firm stand against India. He expressed his opinions while talking to Pakistan’s 24 News.
“Their tantrums just don’t end. We’re singing their praises. Children here wish to see Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. Every child here desires to see them in motion, but their tantrums just don’t end. I do not know during which world they live in and what they need to attain. When are they going to be intelligent and smart? When will they open their hearts? By wearing a tie and talking in English, you’re thinking that you’ve got develop into civilised? Pakistan should take a firm stand and teach them a lesson,” the spin great said.
Mushtaq also alleged India of harassing him while he had applied for the visa for his trip to the nation for Recent Zealand’s tour. The Blackcaps had appointed him their spin consultant for the outing that included three-match Test series.
“I booked online (visa appointment) from Leicester where I live and got an appointment two weeks later. They made me wait in queue for 4 hours. I felt a bit embarrassed and I used to be disenchanted as well for the treatment being meted out to me,” said Mushtaq.
“You will not imagine how many individuals I approached (to get my visa processed). They kept telling me it’s within the queue to get processed.
“The status remained the identical for 3 months. Within the meantime, I got this offer from PCB. So I refused the visa. They (Indian authorities) took the fee as well and didn’t even acknowledge,” Mushtaq added.
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