With a hypothetical Test series between India and Pakistan on everyone’s minds, legendary Pakistani bowler Wasim Akram has suggested that Pakistan might hold an edge over their arch-rivals on spin-friendly pitches.
Following India's recent home series defeat to New Zealand, where they struggled against spin, Akram believes that Pakistan’s spin attack could now pose a formidable challenge to India.
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Here’s a closer look at Akram's comments and the reasoning behind his prediction.
Why does Wasim Akram think Pakistan can beat India on spinning tracks?
Akram shared his thoughts after India's 3-0 loss to New Zealand in a home Test series, where Indian batters appeared vulnerable against spinners.
New Zealand's spin trio, led by Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner, and Glenn Phillips, exploited India’s weakness on turning tracks, taking 37 out of 57 wickets in the series.
Akram believed that if Pakistan faced India on similar surfaces, their own spinners would have a significant chance to capitalize, given India’s recent struggles.
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How did Wasim Akram and Michael Vaughan discuss a hypothetical IND-PAK Test series?
In a commentary discussion with former England cricketer Michael Vaughan, Akram remarked on the excitement of an India-Pakistan Test series.
“I would want to see a Test series between India and Pakistan,” remarked Vaughan to which Akram replied: “It will be massive. It will be good for the game, for two cricket crazy nations.”
Vaughan speculated that Pakistan could defeat India on turning pitches, to which Akram agreed, noting India’s recent losses, "Pakistan have a chance to beat India in Tests now on a spinning track. They have been hammered by New Zealand 3-0 at home."
When was the last India vs Pakistan Test Series?
India and Pakistan haven’t faced each other in a Test match since Pakistan’s tour of India in 2008. During that series, India claimed a 1-0 victory in the three-Test format, with wins in Delhi and draws in Kolkata and Pune.
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The two nations have since met only in limited-overs cricket due to political tensions, with no interaction in the World Test Championship (WTC) format.
Historically, India and Pakistan have played 59 Test matches, with Pakistan leading the head-to-head with 12 wins to India’s nine. The remaining 38 matches ended in draws.
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