Joining other former Pakistan cricketers on raising doubt over India’s intent in chasing target against England in A World Cup 2019 game, former Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has revealed that even West Indian players told him that India doesn’t want Pakistan to qualify for semifinal.
Mushtaq, who was working with the West Indies as their spin bowling coach, claims that skipper Jason Holder, veteran opener Chris Gayle and all-rounder Andre Russell voiced their opinions on the same to him just after the match.
“I was working with the West Indies squad at last year’s World Cup. After India’s loss to England, Jason Holder, Chris Gayle and Andre Russell said to me ‘Mushy, India didn’t want to see Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals,’” Mushtaq told Pakistan news channel ARY Sports.
The claim will no doubt bring more attention to the group stage encounter between Team India and eventual World Cup winners England, which had been in the news recently due to some comments from England all-rounder Ben Stokes’ new book ‘On Fire’.
“Arguably, the way MS Dhoni played when he came in with 112 runs needed from 11 overs was even stranger. He appeared more intent on singles than sixes. Even with a dozen balls remaining, India could still have won,” Ben Stokes has mentioned in the book.
“…there was little or no intent from him (Dhoni) or his partner Kedar Jadhav. To me, while victory is still possible you always go for broke,” Stokes has went on to add in his soon-to-be-published book.
Former Pakistan bowler Sikander Bahkt then tweeted an old video wherein he is quoted saying that India threw the match to ensure Pakistan don’t qualify, further stating that Stokes’ book has only vindicated his claim.
Former player Abdul Razzaq and Waqar Younis had also voiced their concern over India’s intent in chasing the target.
But these comments did not gone down well with Stokes. In a retaliatory tweet, Stokes said, “You won’t find it cause I have never said it… it’s called “twisting of words” or “click bait”.”