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In the wake of Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, spin legend Saqlain Mushtaq has issued a bold challenge to India. Mushtaq has called for a comprehensive bilateral series across all formats, proposing 10 Test matches, 10 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and 10 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) with India. This comes as a direct response to India’s dominant performance in the tournament, particularly their convincing win over Pakistan during the group stage.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: A brief recap of Pakistan’s performance
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been a showcase of extraordinary cricketing talent, with India emerging as one of the strongest contenders. The match between India and Pakistan was a pivotal one, where India secured a comfortable victory by six wickets. This result effectively dashed Pakistan’s hopes of advancing beyond the group stage, leaving them with just a solitary point from their matches – a stark contrast to their historical standing in cricket.
Saqlain Mushtaq’s provocative proposal
Speaking on Pakistan’s 24 News HD, Mushtaq’s statements have quickly reverberated through the cricket world. He openly challenged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to arrange a comprehensive series against Pakistan, positing that the results would unequivocally establish the superior team.
“If we keep political things aside, their players are outstanding and they have been playing good cricket. 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. 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.
His comments touch on both cricketing prowess and the broader, strained diplomatic relations that have prevented such engagements outside of ICC events for over a decade.
Saqlain Mushtaq's challenge
If 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
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The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry
The cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan is unmatched in its intensity and fan interest, often drawing vast global audiences. However, relations between the two cricket boards have been tenuous, largely confining their encounters to ICC tournaments since 2012. India have generally dominated these clashes, although Pakistan has managed a few memorable victories, including their Champions Trophy title triumph in 2017.
