Former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has proposed that the BCCI may urge the International Cricket Council to change the pitch at the Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo for the upcoming India-Pakistan game of the T20 World Cup 2026 on February 15.

Under the tournament's hybrid model, Pakistan will play all of its games in Sri Lanka. They won both of their early Group A matches at the SSC in Colombo, but the high-profile match versus India is expected to take place at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

Appearing on a Pakistani TV show, Saqlain Mushtaq was asked if he expected similar conditions in Colombo for the India clash. Saqlain's statement sparked controversy, as he suggested that the ICC, allegedly influenced by the BCCI, could alter the pitch, prompting 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 on the Pakistan TV show Game on Hai. 

Furthermore, the conversation moved towards the Pakistan team combination and the role that all-rounder Faheem Ashraf will play. Panellists, including former pacer Umar Gul and ex-skipper Mohammad Hafeez, questioned why Faheem had not bowled a single over during 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.

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 said.

Here is the video: