Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has voiced his astonishment at Pakistan‘s latest 2-0 Take a look at collection defeat to Bangladesh, marking a pointy decline from the crew’s efficiency a decade in the past. Bangladesh’s historic 10-wicket win within the first Take a look at in Rawalpindi, adopted by a six-wicket victory within the second Take a look at, resulted in a uncommon dwelling collection whitewash for Pakistan.
Ravichandran Ashwin expresses shock over Pakistan’s decline in cricket type
Ashwin, reflecting on the drastic drop in Pakistan’s cricketing requirements, famous the stark distinction between the present crew and the formidable facet from a decade in the past. He highlighted how Pakistan, underneath the management of Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, was as soon as a dominant pressure. The crew boasted formidable gamers corresponding to Yasir Shah and different influential left-arm spinners, making them a difficult opponent. Ashwin expressed disbelief on the present state of Pakistan cricket, given their latest document of solely 5 wins and sixteen losses this 12 months.
“Maintaining all this apart, Pakistan cricket, to see the place it’s proper now, it wasn’t attainable 10 years in the past with Misbah, Younis Khan, even after they used to play in UAE. Again then, it was very robust to beat Pakistan, proper? You had the likes of Yasir Shah, you had the likes of a few left-arm spinners coming in. All these guys, to the place they’re proper now, I can not imagine it,” Ashwin mentioned in a video on his Youtube channel.
Additionally READ: Pakistan cricket in disaster: Legends react to demoralising Take a look at collection defeat towards Bangladesh
Ashwin on Pakistan’s management and present struggles
Ashwin additionally commented on Pakistan’s Take a look at captain, Shan Masood, who has had a difficult begin to his tenure with 5 consecutive losses. The Indian spinner empathized with Masood, acknowledging the tough activity of main a crew amid the absence of Babar Azam, who had beforehand been a key determine in Pakistani cricket. Ashwin urged that whereas Masood is a succesful and clever cricketer with potential, managing the present Pakistan squad in such turbulent occasions is not any straightforward feat.
“I really feel terribly unhealthy for any person named Shaan Masood. I’ll inform you why. Shaan Masood is a really sensible cricketer. I do know that man. He speaks quite a lot of sense. He is usually a actually good captain for Pakistan. However dealing with a Pakistan cricket crew at this level of time, the place any person like Babar Azam shouldn’t be the captain and he’s a poster boy for Pakistan, it can’t be a simple dressing room, proper?” the 37-year-old added.
Masood was appointed captain final 12 months after Babar stepped down following a poor efficiency within the ODI World Cup 2023. Masood’s first collection as captain was towards Australia, the place his crew confronted a 3-0 defeat. Total, Masood has led Pakistan in 5 Checks, all ending in defeat. Pakistan’s upcoming Take a look at collection towards England, scheduled subsequent month on dwelling soil, represents a major problem because the crew has not received a Take a look at at dwelling in ten matches, together with 4 attracts.
Ashwin displays on Pakistan’s cricketing legacy
Ashwin, whereas discussing the present state of Pakistan cricket, expressed deep respect for the nation’s wealthy cricketing heritage. He reminisced concerning the legendary cricketers who’ve formed Pakistan’s cricketing historical past, together with Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Imran Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Ijaz Ahmed, Salim Malik, Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail. The distinction between the legacy of those cricketing icons and the challenges confronted by the present crew underscores the numerous decline in Pakistan’s efficiency over the previous decade.
“Genuinely talking, Pakistan cricket’s historical past, Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Imran Khan, Inzamam ul Haq, Ijaz Ahmed, Salim Malik. I can simply carry on happening. This legacy, Saeed Anwar, Aamir Sohail, what legacy that nation and that cricket crew have?” Ashwin concluded.
