Saqlain Mushtaq challenges India to 30-match series against Pakistan to settle superiority debate

Former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has thrown down the gauntlet to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), urging the Indian team to face Pakistan in an extensive 30-match bilateral series to prove their dominance. 

Talking to 24NewsHD, Mushtaq proposed a full-fledged series comprising 10 Tests, 10 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and 10 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) as the ultimate measure of superiority between the two arch-rivals.

"If we keep politics aside, their players are very good, and they have been playing good cricket," Mushtaq acknowledged.

 "But if you are really a good team, then let's play 10 Tests, 10 ODIs, and 10 T20Is against Pakistan. That would settle everything."

His comments come in the wake of India's commanding six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. 

Mushtaq, however, remains confident that Pakistan can rise to the occasion if they work on better 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 asserted.

The two cricketing giants have not played a bilateral series since the 2012-13 season due to political tensions, restricting their encounters to ICC tournaments.

Pakistan endured a disappointing campaign as hosts of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, failing to win a single match in the group stage. 

They suffered a 60-run defeat against New Zealand and a six-wicket loss to India, while their final match against Bangladesh was washed out in Rawalpindi. 

Consequently, Pakistan finished at the bottom of Group A with just one point from three matches, leading to an early exit from the tournament.