Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed disappointment over Pakistan’s recent struggles in Test cricket, particularly after their shocking home series whitewash by Bangladesh. The defeat has extended Pakistan’s winless streak in home Test matches to over 1000 days, a record that has left fans and cricket experts stunned.
Bangladesh secured a historic 2-0 series victory, beating Pakistan in the first Test in Rawalpindi by 10 wickets and following it up with a six-wicket win in the second and final Test at the same venue. This marked Bangladesh’s first-ever Test series win against Pakistan in Pakistan, and their victory in the second Test was especially memorable as they recovered from being 26/6 in their first innings to triumph.
Pakistan’s Decline in Test Cricket
Pakistan’s last Test victory at home came in February 2021, when they defeated South Africa. Since then, they have played ten home Test matches, losing six and drawing four. Their recent loss has seen Pakistan slip to 8th in the ICC Test rankings, marking their worst Test ranking since 1965.
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Ashwin, in a recent statement on his YouTube channel, commented on the sad state of Pakistan cricket, particularly their decline in Test matches at home. “What a victory for Bangladesh, but what a disappointment for Pakistan. It’s quite shocking because Pakistan has always been a difficult team to beat, especially at home. But now, it’s been more than 1000 days since they last won a Test match on home soil. That’s unheard of for a team like Pakistan, which has such a rich cricketing history,” Ashwin said.
Feeling for Pakistan’s Cricket Legends
.Ashwin went on to express his sympathy for some of the legendary figures in Pakistan cricket, highlighting how difficult it must be for them to witness the team’s struggles. “You know who I feel for the most? It’s Pakistan cricket’s history. Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Imran Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saeed Anwar—these are players who have left a legacy. What a proud cricketing nation Pakistan was, and to see them in this situation now is quite saddening.”
Ashwin, India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, pointed out that 10 years ago, defeating Pakistan would have been an almost unimaginable feat, especially in their home conditions. “They had stalwarts like Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, and they dominated even while playing their home matches in the UAE. Bowlers like Yasir Shah, Abdul Rehman, and Zulfiqar Babar made them formidable. But to see where they are now, it’s hard to believe.”
A Glimmer of Hope for Pakistan’s Captain Shan Masood
Ashwin also voiced his support for Pakistan’s current captain, Shan Masood, who has taken over leadership duties from Babar Azam. Despite Pakistan’s recent struggles, Ashwin believes Masood has the potential to be a great leader for the team, but acknowledged that the current environment may be challenging for him.
“I feel terribly bad for someone like Shan Masood. He’s a very smart cricketer. I know the guy well, and he speaks a lot of sense. He could be a really good captain for Pakistan. But handling the Pakistan team right now, where Babar Azam, the poster boy of Pakistan cricket, is not the captain, is not an easy situation. It can’t be an easy dressing room to manage,” Ashwin added.
Bangladesh’s Rise in Test Cricket
While Ashwin expressed disappointment for Pakistan, he did not take away any credit from Bangladesh for their historic victory. He noted that Bangladesh’s rise in Test cricket has been impressive over the years. “Bangladesh have come a long way. When we toured Bangladesh last year, we realized how strong they have become as a Test side. They have experience in players like Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mehidy Hasan, along with talented youngsters. Their growth as a team is commendable,” Ashwin said.
Looking Ahead
For Pakistan, the road to recovery seems challenging, especially as they prepare for upcoming series with a demoralized squad. The recent results have exposed significant weaknesses in both their batting and bowling departments, leading to concerns about the future of Test cricket in the country.
Ashwin’s comments underscore the concern that many in the cricketing world share for Pakistan, a team with a proud history but currently facing one of its toughest periods in the longest format of the game.
As Bangladesh celebrates a historic win, Pakistan will need to reflect and rebuild as they look to reverse their fortunes and restore their status as a dominant force in international cricket.
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