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Legendary pacer Wasim Akram made a bold prediction on Monday that Pakistan could defeat India in a Test match after the latter’s clean sweep defeat at home against New Zealand.
The Kiwis became the first team to clean-sweep India at home in a three-match Test series after they defeated the hosts in the third Test at Mumbai on Sunday.
India struggled against New Zealand spinners during the Test series with Ajaz Patel taking 15 wickets in three matches and Mitchell Santner taking 13 wickets in the only match he played.
After the historic loss, Wasim Akram talked about the possibility of a Test match between long-standing rivals Pakistan and India while commentating on the ongoing first ODI between Pakistan and Australia in Melbourne.
During the conversation with fellow commentator Michael Vaughan, Akram predicted that Pakistan would have the upper hand on spin-friendly pitches.
“I would want to see a Test series between India and Pakistan,” remarked Vaughan
“It will be massive. It will be good for the game, for two cricket-crazy nations.” Akram replied.
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“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’s confidence in Pakistan is backed by their recent 2-1 series victory against England in the home Test series.
Pakistan were in heaps of trouble after succumbing to an innings and 47 runs defeat in the opening Test of the series.
The under-fire hosts needed a miracle to fight for the series glory and they made four massive changes to their squad for the remaining two Tests, which marked the ouster of big names like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.
Consistent domestic performer Kamran Ghulam replaced Babar, while the dynamic spin duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali came in as Shaheen and Naseem’s replacement.
The spin duo dismantled England in the remaining two Tests and picked up 39 out of their 40 wickets, while another late entrant Zahid Mahmood bagged the solitary wicket.
The mid-series additions Sajid Khan and Noman Ali played a pivotal role in marking an astounding turnaround for Pakistan, who recovered from 0-1 down to beat England 2-1 and seal their first Test series victory at home since 2021.
READ: Mitchell Starc achieves major milestone during first Pakistan ODI
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