![Saqlain Mushtaq suspects foul play from ICC and Jay Shah [Source: X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1770870215857_saqlainmushtaqjayshahindvspakt20worldcup.jpg?type=hq)
Saqlain Mushtaq suspects foul play from ICC and Jay Shah [Source: X]
Former cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq has taken a sharp dig at the Jay Shah-led ICC, accusing the apex body of pitch tampering to favour India in the T20 World Cup match against Pakistan. Recently, the Pakistan government reversed its T20 World Cup boycott, finally allowing the Men in Green to play the high-profile contest against India.
However, with only three days left for the mega clash, former cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq made a shocking claim, suspecting a potential pitch tampering by the ICC to favour the Men in Blue in this contest. Although his claims had no grounds, Saqlain, being a reputed name among the cricketing fraternity, grabbed a million eyeballs through this statement.
Saqlain Mushtaq suspects Jay Shah and ICC's involvement to favour India vs Pakistan
Led by Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan have been prolific in the T20 World Cup 2026, winning their first two matches. Interestingly, the Men in Green are scheduled to play three matches at the Sinhalese Sports Club, while their highly anticipated game against India will take place at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
Considering Pakistan will shift their base for the India match, one of their TV anchors urged Saqlain Mushtaq to explain the difference in the R. Premadasa Stadium and the Sinhalese Sports Club's pitch conditions. However, Mushtaq, one of the esteemed panellists on the TV show, offered a response that was more bizarre than logical.
As the anchor sought to understand the potential strategy and combination for this match, the former spinner said Pakistan could do nothing as the ICC would dish out an entirely different kind of pitch in Colombo to boost India's chances of winning.
He even took an indirect dig at the ICC chief Jay Shah, blaming the Indian administrator of intentionally favouring his country in this contest. He also lauded the Pakistani team management for providing sufficient game time to controversial spinner Usman Tariq so that they could launch him as a surprise weapon against the Indian team.
"Jis tarah ki technology hai aur jis tarah ke modern-day groundsmen hain, pitch change ho sakti hai. You never know, ICC jo hai, woh kiske influence pe hai yeh hume pata hai," Saqlain Mushtaq said during the show.
India, Pakistan's dream run in T20 World Cup so far
Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India had a stellar start to the T20 World Cup, winning their first match against the United States convincingly by 29 runs. Pakistan, on the other hand, fumbled against the Netherlands before Faheem Ashraf's breezy cameo took them past the finish line.
However, the Salman Ali Agha-led outfit had a much better outing against the United States, swatting them aside by 32 runs. Given that they will play at the R. Premadasa Stadium for the first time in the tournament, the Pakistani players must adapt to the conditions in order to succeed against their arch-rivals.
Despite Abhishek Sharma's stomach infection, India are the favourites heading to their second group-A encounter against Namibia. However, given that Pakistan is a much stronger side than Namibia, the Gautam Gambhir-led think tank must be hoping for their first-choice opener to recover ahead of the riveting clash.
