India and Pakistan share an intense on-field rivalry and the stakes are always high whenever the two teams lock horns. Since they only share the field in ICC events and Asia Cups, the long gap between their matches adds to the anticipation and the fans are glued to the television throughout the match.
India and Pakistan will renew their rivalry when they square off in the 2022 Asia Cup fixture. While the players don’t hold back themselves on the field, it doesn’t mean that they don’t have a good relationship off the field.
One of the instances of the players having a strong bond was reflected many years ago when Anil Kumble came to the aid of Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq. Speaking to Sportstar in 2020, Mushtaq revealed how Kumble came to his aid when he was suffering from an eye issue.
The Pakistan spinner wasn’t able to get proper treatment in his country and it was Kumble who gave him the contact number of a doctor in England.
“We were in England and I told Anil bhai that there are not many good opticians back home, so I am struggling and if he could suggest some ophthalmologists. So, he suggested that I go to Dr. Bharat Rugani. Even he said that he and [Sourav] Ganguly consult him often. He gave me the [contact] number of the doctor and I visited him in Harley Street (in London),” Mushtaq told Sportstar.
“The doctor checked my eyes and gave me lenses. I had cataract, the vision power was cylindrical and also the eyes were weak. I had consulted many doctors in Pakistan and none could treat it. So, it was Anil bhai who would help me get in touch with the doctor. It was because of him that I could recover. He is a gem of a person.”
Mushtaq had a long career and he played 169 ODIs and 49 ODIs between 1995 to 2004. Kumble, a former India captain, donned 132 Test and 271 ODI caps between 1990 and 2008. He also served as the head coach of Team India for one year.
