Saqlain Mushtaq's Pre-India Match Pitch Allegation Sets Off Debate: 'Influence ICC...'

Former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has said that with the kind of technology available in modern times, the pitch in Colombo can change at any time ahead of the India vs Pakistan game, suggesting that the International Cricket Council might be influenced by the BCCI to do the same.

Under the hybrid model in place for the tournament, Pakistan are playing all their games in Sri Lanka. They have won both their opening Group A matches at the SSC in Colombo, but the high-profile clash against India is all set to take place at the R Premadasa Stadium.

After Pakistan’s victory over the USA earlier this week, a result that moved them within one win of a Super 8 spot, Saqlain was asked on the Pakistani show Game on Hai if he expected similar conditions

in Colombo for the India clash.

Saqlain’s response sparked controversy, as he suggested that the ICC, under the BCCI’s influence, could tweak the pitch, forcing Pakistan to reconsider their playing XI.

“With the kind of technology available today and the modern-day groundsmen, the pitch can change; you never know. We know under whose influence the ICC works,” Saqlain said.

The conversation then turned to team selection, the role of Faheem Ashraf, Pakistan’s lone pace-bowling all-rounder in the team. Panellists, including former pacer Umar Gul and ex-skipper Mohammad Hafeez, questioned why Faheem hadn’t bowled a single over in the first two games.

“You have given Usman Tariq a game, which gives him confidence ahead of India. But if you need two pacers and an all-rounder going forward, the entire equation changes. Look at Jimmy Neesham, he is like our Faheem Ashraf,” Saqlain said.

“Some days he bowls one over, some days he bowls the 20th. Who bowls the 20th over for Pakistan? Tariq? Nawaz? Shadab? Abrar? When have they last done it? Faheem has, whether good or bad,” Saqlain added.