- Tuesday, March 04, 2025
Former champion off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq says that while India is a very good outfit, Pakistan’s recent losses are because of the absence of bilateral cricket between the two countries
By: India Weekly
AFTER Pakistan’s early exit from the Champions Trophy, the former Pakistani cricketers are weighing in their opinions on what went wrong with the national team, and some of them have criticised the Indian cricket board for skewing things in their favour.
Former champion off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who was head coach of the Pakistan team, said on a TV channel that while India has a very good outfit Pakistan’s recent losses to them are because of the absence of bilateral cricket between the two countries.
“If India wants to prove it is superior to the Pakistan team I suggest they play a bilateral series of at least 10 Tests, ODIs and T20 internationals on home and away basis. We will know the real strengths of both teams when playing against each other,” he said.
Saqlain said since India and Pakistan faced off rarely it was difficult to do long-term planning and beat their traditional rivals.
“India is a better side no doubt but I think it is only in a proper long bilateral series will we know how good India is against us.”
The Indian team has not been touring Pakistan lately due to security concerns and frosty ties between the two countries.
Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said that India’s recent growth and success was because of the IPL, in which top players from across the world participate.
“You can understand how much that has benefited Indian cricket. Their younger players are getting exposure and polishing themselves and learning how to deal with pressure playing against or with the top players.
“In contrast, Indian players are not allowed to play in any other league and this means that while India has developed its cricket, other sides are falling behind.”
Inzamam urged other boards to not send their players to play in the IPL.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prevents Indian players from participating in overseas leagues unless they retire from Indian cricket, including IPL and domestic tournaments.
Pace legend Wasim Akram made it clear that he was not interested in a permanent coaching job with the Pakistan team because of his other commitments.
“But when have I ever said I am not available to help the players, the board in any other way free of cost. Having seen the way some of our former players, especially Waqar Younis, have been treated in the past when they were with the team and board, I don’t want that sort of disrespect at my age,” Akram said on his Champions Trophy show.
Former opener Mohsin Khan, who has worked as interim head coach and chief selector, said the performances of the team will only improve when Pakistani coaches are given proper time and respect.
“I have faced this situation. There are people on the board who try to shift blame on the coaches, players when the team doesn’t perform well. There is no patience and there is no respect shown for the background of local coaches,” Mohsin said.
He recalled how the PCB removed him as coach and chief selector midway during a series to bring in a foreign coach after the team had won a series against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and England and was developing well.
Pace great Waqar Younis agreed that whoever the PCB brings in on the support staff or as head coach, he must be allowed to complete his tenure.
Dubai venue
Earlier, England’s former players Naseer Hussain and Mike Atherton had said that India has an ‘undeniable advantage’ by playing all their matches in Dubai.
The International Cricket Council, which has former BCCI secretary Jay Shah as its current chairman, has been criticised for letting India camp in Dubai.
While other teams shuttled between three Pakistani cities and Dubai, India did not face any travel hassle and gained valuable insights into the conditions in Dubai having played all three group matches here.
However, Indian captain Rohit Sharma denied they held any advantage and said surfaces at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium behaved differently.
“There are four or five surfaces that are being used and every surface has a different nature,” the opener said.
“The pitches look the same, but when you play on it, it has played in a different way. So, you can’t go thinking ‘we played like this yesterday, and today we’ll play like this’.” (Agencies)
