Mushtaq Ahmed claims Jason Holder, Chris Gayle and Andre Russell told him India didn't want Pakistan to qualify for WC 2019 semi-final

India losing to England in the league stage of the World Cup last year has created a ruckus almost after a year. Pakistan needed their neighbours to defeat the Eoin Morgan-led side to have any chance of making it to the semi-finals. But India fell short of the 338-run target by 32 runs even as many questioned MS Dhoni’s intent of not going for big shots in the last five overs.

Rather some of the former Pakistan cricketers had then claimed that the Men in Blue lost the game deliberately to knock Pakistan out of the tournament. The reason for the matter to pop up once again is Ben Stokes’ new book ‘On Fire’. The all-rounder questioned India’s intent in the run-chase stating that even the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were in no hurry during their century stand.

Moreover, he also went on to mention in the book that England team was surprised to see Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav not hitting big shots despite the required run-rate going over 13-14. Amidst all the speculations and comments, former Pakistan cricketer Mushtaq Ahmed has now claimed that the West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle, Jason Holder and Andre Russell told him during the mega event that India didn’t want Pakistan to make it to the final four.

Mushtaq was working as the Assistant coach of the team from the Caribbean in the World Cup. “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,” he said according to Pak Passion editor Saj Sadiq.

Who others have spoken on the matter?

Former Pakistan cricketers have continued to claim that India lost the game against England on purpose. Rather Sikandar Bakht also went on to say that Ben Stokes has written the same in his book as well only for the all-rounder for deny it clearly. Moreover, even Abdul Razzaq stated that a player like MS Dhoni who can hit fours and sixes at will was stopping himself from hitting big shots.

However, former West Indies cricketer Michael Holding backed MS Dhoni and team India on the matter stating that it didn’t seem to be their plan. He also went on to say that people write anything these days to make headlines.