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Wednesday December 11, 2024

Wasim Akram picks Pakistan over India if two face each other in Tests

"Pakistan have a chance to beat India in Tests now on a spinning track," says former skipper

By Sports Desk
November 04, 2024
Former skipper and legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram. — Reuters/File
Former skipper and legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram. — Reuters/File

Former pacer and Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram has said that Green Shirts will have an upper hand if they were to take on arch-rivals India in Test cricket.

"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," said Akram while expressing his views during the commentary of the first ODI between Pakistan and Australia on Monday.

Akram's remarks came in response to former England cricketer Michael Vaughan's statement where he said that he believed that the Men in Green could triumph over the Indian side.

"Pakistan can now beat India on the turners," said Vaughan.

Remember, Pakistan, showcasing their spin prowess, made an astounding comeback to clinch the three-match Test series against England last month.

After being humbled by England in the opening fixture, the green shirts made major changes to their squad, which included resting key players like Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The home side brought in spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, who took 39 out of the 40 wickets to fall in the remaining two Tests, to lead Pakistan to their first home Test series victory since 2021.

India, on the other hand, succumbed to their first-ever 3-0 home Test series whitewash on Sunday as New Zealand capitalized on their weakness of tackling spin.

New Zealand spinners claimed 37 out of 57 wickets, courtesy of Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips.

It is to be noted that arch-rivals Pakistan and India last played a Test series in 2008.