Former Pakistan cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq has stirred a fresh debate by challenging India to play a full-fledged bilateral series against Pakistan across all formats. He believes that only through regular matches can India truly establish its dominance over their arch-rivals. India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012 due to diplomatic tensions, meeting only in ICC tournaments over the past decade.
Their most recent encounter was in the Champions Trophy 2025, where India secured a comfortable win, thanks to a century from Virat Kohli. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s campaign ended in disappointment, finishing at the bottom of their group with just one point.
Saqlain Mushtaq Questions India’s Strength
While reviewing the Champions Trophy on 24 News HD, Mushtaq expressed his belief that India’s real strength could only be tested in a series of multiple matches. He challenged India to play 10 Tests, 10 ODIs, and 10 T20Is against Pakistan to determine which team is superior. “If you are truly a good team, play a full series against us, and then we will see who is the best,” he asserted. The former Pakistan spinner also maintained that if Pakistan prepares well and makes the right decisions, they have the capability to challenge India and prove their worth on the global stage.
India’s Upcoming Challenges in the Champions Trophy
Despite Pakistan’s struggles in international cricket, India has been on an upward trajectory, consistently performing well in ICC events. Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, the Indian team is aiming for another Champions Trophy title. Their next challenge will be a crucial group-stage match against New Zealand, with the winner securing the top spot in Group A and facing Australia in the semi-finals. With India’s dominance in ICC tournaments and Pakistan’s decline in recent years, Mushtaq’s challenge has sparked discussions about the future of India-Pakistan cricketing ties.
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