Legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram thinks Pakistan can very well exploit of India's recent deficiencies against spin to defeat them in a Test series, should it be played on turning surfaces, after India's shocking 0–3 Test series loss to New Zealand at home. India's most recent series loss demonstrated their severe difficulties against Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, and Glenn Phillips, the spin trio from New Zealand.
With the exception of Washington Sundar, who averaged 44.5 and Rishabh Pant, who averaged 66, the rest of India's lineup struggled against spin. Consistency was a challenge for notable names like Sarfaraz Khan (23.5), Shubman Gill (29.5), and Yashasvi Jaiswal (25.6). Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of India's main batters, have also performed noticeably poorly, averaging 16.75 and 10.5 respectively.
Pakistan has seen domestic success whereas India has struggled. With two spin-friendly tracks in Karachi and Multan, they recently overcame England 2-1 in a Test series played on turning wickets, reversing an early defeat. English hitters struggled on new, changing surfaces as off-spinner Sajid Khan and left-arm spinner Noman Ali produced match-winning deliveries.
Akram on India's loss
During the first ODI between Australia and Pakistan in Melbourne, Akram expressed his opinions while commentating with former England captain Michael Vaughan. Akram enthusiastically accepted Vaughan's suggestion of an India-Pakistan Test series, recognizing the increased ferocity of such a rivalry.
"It will be massive. It will be good for the game, for two cricket-crazy nations," Akram said. In response to Vaughan’s comment that "Pakistan can now beat India on turners," Akram replied by saying "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."
A Test series between India and Pakistan is still eagerly awaited; the last one was in 2007, in which India won 1-0 after three matches. Due to diplomatic and political reasons, the two teams have not played each other in the game's extended format since, leaving supporters of both nations eager for this ancient rivalry to resurface.
