Former Pakistan cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq has challenged India to prove its strength by playing a full bilateral cricket series against Pakistan. He believes that a proper competition across all formats—Tests, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)—would be the best way to settle the ongoing debate about which team is truly stronger.
Saqlain’s comments come after Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The team struggled throughout the tournament, failing to secure a single win. Their six-wicket defeat to India added to the concerns about the current state of Pakistan cricket and sparked more discussions about whether the gap between the two teams is widening.
Despite these setbacks, Saqlain remains confident that Pakistan is still capable of competing at the highest level. He argued that a fair and thorough series would provide a clearer picture of both teams’ strengths and weaknesses. According to Saqlain, playing 10 matches in each format—10 Tests, 10 ODIs, and 10 T20Is—would be the ultimate test of which side is superior.
He also called on India to put aside political issues and focus on the spirit of the game. Saqlain emphasized that cricket has the power to bring people together and suggested that a full series between India and Pakistan would not only entertain fans but also help build bridges between the two nations.
The former spinner’s challenge has already started conversations in the cricket world, with fans and experts weighing in on the possibility of such a high-stakes series. Whether or not this proposed series will happen remains to be seen, but Saqlain’s bold statement has certainly added a new dimension to the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry.
