Former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has called out the BCCI over their 'tantrums' ahead of Champions Trophy 2025, claiming that they need to be taught a lesson in the eight-team event. Mushtaq, who has worked as a coach for a handful of teams, recalled how he failed to get a visa during New Zealand's tour of India last year.
Having been chosen to work with the Black Caps during the three-Test tour of India last year, the retired Pakistan cricketer had to cancel his plans after witnessing the cumbersome process. During a conversation with a Pakistani channel, Mushtaq revealed that the BCCI hasn't responded to him regarding the visa even after these many months.
While speaking to the reporter, Mushtaq called India out for not coming to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy and instead playing in Dubai He stated:
"3 saadhe teen mahine tak aise hee chalti rahi. PCB ki taraf se jo offer aaya usse refuse kari, mujhse fees bhi leli, jawaab bhi nahin di, na koi message ya email aaya. Is tarah ki treatment dete hain. Inke nakhre khatam nahin hote aur hum inke abhi bhi gun gaa rahe hain. Aur hamaare public mein baithe log kehte hain Virat Kohli aa jaaye, Bumrah aa jaaye, toh hum unko dekhna chahte hain. Pakistan ki taraf se minnatein ho rahi hai, har baccha chah raha hai inko dekhne ke liye. Inke nakhre khatam hee nahin hote, pata nahin kaunsi duniya mein reh rahe hain."
"Inhone kab sudharna hai. Kab aap inke dilon ko khol ke rakhenge. Tie-shie laga ke, thodi angrezi bol ke, aap bahut civilized ho gaye, bahut kuch pata chal gaya aapko? Hum Dubai mein jaake khelenge, Pakistan nahin aayenge. Yeh ajeeb kism ka attitude hai aur Pakistan ko firmly stand lena chahiye. Inko sabak sikhaana chahiye."
(I waited for three months but they didn’t give me any reply and fortunately I got an offer from the PCB and accepted it. They even took fee from me and didn’t give it back. Their tantrums are not getting over. We are still praising them. The youngsters in Pakistan want to see Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. I don’t know in which world they are living in and what they want to achieve. When are they going to be intelligent and wise? When they will open their hearts? By wearing a tie and taking in English, you think you have become civilized. Pakistan should take a stand and teach them a lesson.)
Pakistan beat India to clinch the 2017 Champions Trophy title
Pakistan, meanwhile, will start as the defending champions ahead of the 2025 edition, having sealed their first title in 2017 by defeating arch-rivals in the final in London. The Men in Green, captained by Sarfaraz Ahmed, amassed 338 in the final, spearheaded by Fakhar Zaman's hundred. Later, fiery spells from Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali ensured that India got nowhere close to the target.
Pakistan will start the tournament against New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi and their clash against India is on the 23rd.
