- WEB DESK
- September 19, 2026
Saqlain Mushtaq challenges Tauseef Ahmed to release alleged voice message amid favouritism claims
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- WEB DESK
- September 19, 2026
Former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has challenged ex-teammate Tauseef Ahmed to publicly release a voice message that Tauseef claimed he had received from him, after Tauseef accused him of favouritism and questioned aspects of Pakistan cricket’s coaching culture.
Saqlain responded on social media after Tauseef, during a podcast hosted by former Pakistan batter Fawad Alam, referred to a phone call and subsequent recording involving the former Pakistan spinner. Saqlain denied that Tauseef had grounds to portray the conversation as he had and challenged him to make the recording public.
“Mr. Tauseef Ahmed, you said you have my voice message—prove it. Release it publicly,” Saqlain wrote.
He said he had contacted Tauseef “out of respect” because he regarded him as a senior and accused him of misrepresenting the matter.
“Don’t lie, don’t hide, and don’t twist the facts,” Saqlain said, adding that he also had a complete record of the exchange.
“Release yours, and I’ll release mine. Let the public hear the truth,” he added.
The exchange followed remarks by Tauseef in which he questioned what he described as favouritism in Pakistan cricket, particularly in the treatment of certain players and the roles given to former international cricketers after they moved into coaching.
During his conversation with Alam, Tauseef appeared to refer to Saqlain while discussing what he regarded as excessive backing of certain players. He questioned why some coaches, in his view, continued to favour particular individuals despite their performances.
“There is a limit to favouritism,” Tauseef said, questioning who was providing influence or protection to those involved.
Alam asked Tauseef whether he was referring to Saqlain and Shadab Khan, to which Tauseef replied in the affirmative.
Tauseef then said he had received a phone call in which he was asked to speak to someone on behalf of a player. He said he did not answer the call and later received a recording of the conversation.
Tauseef did not disclose the recording publicly during the podcast, but said he had it.
Saqlain’s subsequent response directly challenged that account, asking Tauseef to release the alleged voice message so that the public could hear the conversation for themselves.
Tauseef questions coaching culture
The disagreement formed part of a wider criticism by Tauseef of the way Pakistan cricket handles coaching, selection and player development.
Tauseef argued that former greats should not automatically be given coaching opportunities simply because of their playing reputations. He said some former Pakistan players who had enjoyed successful careers had struggled after moving into coaching.
“I’m not saying all of my great players, but those great players who played good cricket — they came here and failed in coaching,” he said.
He added that former teammates sometimes continued to support one another despite what he considered inadequate performances.
Tauseef stressed, however, that his criticism was not directed at people simply because they were former players. He said he was prepared to praise anyone who performed well.
“If you’re doing well, then fine, we will praise you too,” he said.
Referring to one of the players under discussion, Tauseef said he had personally seen his performances while working with Islamabad United and therefore had no issue acknowledging his ability.
Call for chances for younger players
Tauseef also criticised the limited opportunities available to younger players, arguing that teams needed to give inexperienced cricketers time to develop rather than repeatedly relying on established names.
He cited the example of Sufiyan, questioning why a young player should be discarded after a poor performance.
“What is Sufiyan’s fault?” Tauseef asked. “We are not saying keep playing him regardless. Keep him with the team.”
He argued that young players needed to remain around the squad and gain experience, particularly on international tours.
Tauseef also questioned why teams sometimes had inexperienced players sitting on the bench without being given opportunities, saying coaches appeared reluctant to take risks with less established cricketers.
“If your bench is sitting empty behind you, this is the reason,” he said.
He argued that taking an inexperienced player on an international tour could help expose him to a higher level of cricket and accelerate his development.
Tauseef also referred to criticism surrounding another player, Sajid, saying technical aspects of a cricketer’s game should be examined before making sweeping judgments about his ability. He acknowledged that major changes could become difficult once a player had developed a particular style but said coaches could still work on smaller technical issues.
Alam agreed, describing them as “minor” adjustments.
The public exchange between Tauseef and Saqlain now puts the alleged voice message at the centre of their disagreement, with Saqlain calling for its release and saying he was prepared to publish his own record of the conversation.
“Release yours, and I’ll release mine,” Saqlain said. “Let the public hear the truth.”
