Former Pakistan captain Mushtaq Mohammad came on the fourth day of the Edgbaston Test between India and England wearing a tie on which the Indian flag was built, the tricolor of the country which he left at the age of six and his heartfelt desire is to come to India once again. This 81 -year -old former cricketer was born in Junagadh, Gujarat. He still lives in Birmingham and is happy to stay there but wants to go to the place where he was born.
When Mushtaq used to play cricket, he came to India twice. He first came to India to play a Test series in 1961 and then in 1978 for Dilip Sardesai for a profitable match in Ahmedabad.
On both occasions he wanted to go to Junagadh, who was a former princely state from where he moved to Karachi at the age of six. However, due to his busy schedule, he could not go to Junagadh and even after decades it remains his incomplete desire.
He has now settled in Birmingham, but being a Pakistani, it is complex for him to get an Indian visa and he experienced it a few years ago while circling the Indian High Commission here.
He wanted to attend the wedding of his old friend Bishan Singh Bedi’s daughter but did not get a visa on time.
VIDEO | Former Pakistan Captain Mushtaq Mohammad Talked About His Friendship with his lifelong friend and former India Spinner BISHANNER BISHNN SINGH BEDDI, Who is Sadly No More. The Former Pakistan All-Roounder Credits Bedi to Date for Making A Leg-Spinner out of Him when Nobody Else Took… pic.twitter.com/oz7pyhyp3q
– Press Trust of India (@Pti_News) July 8, 2025
Mushtaq told PTI, “I would like to go to the place where I was born.” I went closest to Junagadh when I played the match for Dilip Sardesai in Ahmedabad. I could take a train for Junagadh, but the program was very busy. ,
The former all -rounder, who played 57 Test matches for Pakistan after making his debut at the age of fifteen, said, “Unfortunately I could never go to India after that.”
Mushtaq has maintained an association with Gujarat through language. He understands Gujarati language well but he cannot speak or read it.
Mushtaq became emotional while talking about his good friend Bishan Singh Bedi, who is no longer in this world.
The former Pakistan all -rounder has credited Bedi till date that he made him a leg -spinner, when no one else took his bowling seriously. Mushtaq took 79 wickets in Tests and scored 3543 runs.
He said, “Bishan was a funny person. He loved cricket. We played together for six years in Northamptonshahar. Our families had a lot of love for each other. I recently met the Bedi family in London. Zaheer Abbas was also there. I can’t forget the days spent with them. Losing them is very sad, just memories remain. ”
Mushtaq was also a good friend of other Indian cricketers, including Sunil Gavaskar (whom he met during Edgbaston Test) and Kapil Dev.
He said, “Gavaskar was the best batsman of my time. He scored several centuries against the West Indies and that too without a helmet. It was incredible. ”
Mushtaq also said that in the present time every country wants to play from India.
He said, “There is no doubt that Indian cricket is at the top.” Everyone wants to play with India due to clear reasons (financial). One thing that is close to my heart is to play India in their countries with Pakistan.
Mushtaq said, “This is the biggest rivalry. They do not play against each other and it is sad that it has nothing to do with cricket.
Mushtaq is a big fan of Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli among the current Indian players.
He said, “Rishabh Pant is Shahid Afridi of India, but when he has a bat in his hand, he is better than Afridi. We also watch IPL with great fervor. ‘
Mushtaq said, “Virat Kohli could play two more years. They should have been with the Test team. Don’t know why they retired. ”(Language)
