'If you are truly a top team,' Former Pakistan cricketer throws down challenge to BCCI

Former Pakistan cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq has challenged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to organize a comprehensive bilateral series against Pakistan across all formats.

While speaking on a private TV channel, Saqlain stated that if the Indian cricket team claims to be dominant, they should have no hesitation in playing a full-fledged series across all formats against Pakistan.

“If we keep politics aside, their players are very good, and they have been playing good cricket,” said Saqlain.

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“If you are really a good team, then let’s play 10 Tests, 10 ODIs, and 10 T20Is against Pakistan. That would settle everything,” he added.

The remarks came after Pakistan lost to India in a one-sided encounter on 23 February in the Champions Trophy 2025.

Saqlain Mushtaq stated that the Pakistan team has the potential to be a strong one if it dedicates itself to thorough preparation.

“If we get our preparation right and set things in the right direction, we will be in a position to give solid answers to the world and India as well,” he said.

It is important to note that Pakistan and India last played a bilateral series in 2012-2013. During the successful tour of India, green shirts won the ODI series 2-1, while the T20I series ended in a 1-1 tie.

For the unversed, the 2017 Champions Trophy winners had a forgettable title defence, suffering back-to-back defeats against New Zealand and India before their last group-stage match against Bangladesh was washed out.

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