Saqlain Mushtaq, the former Pakistan spinner, criticized India’s refusal to participate in the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, citing visa issues. Mushtaq expressed frustration over India’s decision to play its matches in Dubai instead and lamented that the Indian team hasn’t visited Pakistan since 2008 due to political tensions. He urged Pakistan to take a stronger stance against India, highlighting the yearning of Pakistani children to see Indian players like Virat Kohli. Mushtaq also recounted his own visa troubles when trying to visit India for a series, feeling embarrassed by the lengthy and unresponsive process.
The Pakistan cricket team during the Champions Trophy 2025.© AFP
Saqlain Mushtaq, the legendary spin bowler from Pakistan, has openly criticized India and its national cricket team. Having claimed over 496 international wickets for Pakistan, Mushtaq expressed his dissatisfaction in an interview with a local news channel, particularly about India’s position on the Champions Trophy 2025 and the visa process. Notably, India has opted not to visit Pakistan for the tournament, prompting the International Cricket Council to designate Dubai as the venue for all of India’s matches. Should India advance to the semi-finals and finals, those matches will also take place in Dubai.
The last time the Indian cricket team traveled to Pakistan was for the Asia Cup in 2008. Since that time, increased political tensions have prevented any visits. The last bilateral series between India and Pakistan occurred in 2012-13.
“Their tantrums seem endless. We’re giving them credit, yet children here want to see Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah in action. Their antics just persist. I question what world they inhabit and what they aim to achieve. When will they act with intelligence and wisdom? When will they be open-hearted? Just wearing a tie and speaking English doesn’t mean you’ve become civilized. Pakistan needs to take a firm stance and teach them a lesson,” the spin legend stated.
Mushtaq also claimed that he faced harassment while attempting to obtain a visa for his trip to India for New Zealand’s tour, where he had been appointed as the spin consultant for their three-match Test series.
“I booked my visa appointment online from Leicester, where I reside, and received confirmation two weeks later. They made me wait in line for four hours, and I was both embarrassed and disappointed by the treatment I received,” Mushtaq recounted.
“You wouldn’t believe how many people I reached out to for my visa processing. They continued to tell me it was still in the queue for processing.
“For three months, the status remained unchanged. During that time, I received an offer from the PCB, so I declined the visa. The Indian authorities took the fee and didn’t even acknowledge my application,” Mushtaq concluded.
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