They haven't won a home Test in over 1,000 days: Ashwin DISAPPOINTED for Pakistan after Bangladesh series

Veteran Indian off-spinner lauded Bangladesh for their recent Test series whitewash over hosts Pakistan but feels disappointed to see the state of Pakistan cricket. Shan Masood-led Pakistan were whitewashed by the Bangla Tigers in a two-match Test series after the visitors' six-wicket win, in pursuit of 185, in the second and final Test in Rawalpindi on Tuesday (Sep 3). Notably, Pakistan's last Test win at home came in Feb, 2021.

On his YouTube channel, Ashwin pointed out, "What a victory for Bangladesh but what a disappointment for Pakistan. It's quite disappointing because Pakistan is not an easy team to beat. But more than 1000 days at home Pakistan haven't won at home. Pakistani cricket fans are passionate."

'I FEEL FOR PAKISTAN CRICKET'S HISTORY'

Ashwin, India's second-highest wicket-taker in Tests (516scalps), pointed the legacy of Pakistan cricket to express his shock at the Asian giants' current performance. He opined, "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, Ijaz Ahmed,, Salim Malik, Saeed Anwar, Amer Sohail... I can just keep on going. What legacy that country and their cricket team has."

Ashwin further lauded Bangladesh and said, "Of course, Bangladesh have come a long way. I don't take anything away from them. Last year, when we toured Bangladesh, we knew what a good Test side Bangladesh is. They have got a lot of experience in Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan and they have also got some good young talent."

"Keeping all this aside, to see where Pakistan cricket where it is now... It was difficult to beat them even 10 years ago when Misbah, Younis Khan were there and they played their home matches in the UAE. You had the likes of Yasir Shah, you had two left-arm spinners in Adbur Rahman and Zulfiqar Babar coming in. Where they (Pakistan team) are right now, I can't believe it," the wily spinner further mentioned.

Ashwin symphathised with Masood, who has now lost five successive Tests since taking over from Babar Azam as the Test skipper. He added, "I feel terribly bad for someone like Shan Masood. Shan Masood is a very smart cricketer. I know that guy. He speaks a lot of sense. He can be a really good captain for Pakistan. But handling a Pakistan team at this point, where somebody like Babar Azam is not the captain and he's the poster boy of Pakistan, it cannot be an easy dressing room."