"Pakistan have a chance to beat India in Tests now on a spinning track" - Wasim Akram after the Men in Blue's series loss at home to New Zealand
Former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram feels the Men in Green can defeat India on rank turners, considering the contrasting nature of their recent results. Team India suffered a humiliating 0-3 series loss at home against New Zealand, while Pakistan thrived on rank turners to overturn an early deficit and win the series against England at home.
Team India's spin-playing credentials have taken a massive hit as they were completely trapped by the likes of Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel to lose their first series at home in 12 years. The experienced duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja lacked their usual potency, which played a huge role in the result.
On the other hand, Pakistan's radical switch to used pitches and turners midway through the three-match series made a world of difference. The hosts were better with both bat and ball than England in the latter half of the series as Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Sajid Khan, and Noman Ali shone through.
Speaking about a potential Test series between India and Pakistan in the future, Akram said that Shan Masood and company would be favorites on turning tracks.
“It will be massive. It will be good for the game, for two cricket crazy nations. 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," Akram said on-air during the first ODI between Australia and Pakistan (via The Indian Express).
The subcontinent sides will not have to deal with too much spin for the time being as they are scheduled to tour Australia and South Africa, respectively.
India and Pakistan last played a Test against each other in 2007
The political tensions between the neighboring sides have taken the prospect of a bilateral tour completely out of the question. As a result, India and Pakistan are never pitted against each other in the World Test Championship (WTC). While the likes of England and Australia have offered to host a one-off exhibition Test between the two sides, those plans never grew from the early stages.
The last time India and Pakistan played red-ball cricket against each other was in 2007. India hosted a three-match series, which they ended up winning by a 1-0 margin.