Ashwin expresses sympathy for Pakistan cricket after Bangladesh whitewash

India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has shared his sympathy for Pakistan cricket following the team's recent whitewash by Bangladesh. Pakistan was defeated in both Tests of the series at Rawalpindi, marking Bangladesh’s first-ever Test series win against Pakistan.

This series defeat has dropped Pakistan to 8th place in the ICC Test rankings and their rating points are at their lowest since 1965. Ashwin expressed disappointment over the current state of Pakistan cricket, reflecting on the contrast between their past and present performance.

“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,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin highlighted the rich legacy of Pakistan cricket, mentioning iconic players like Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, and Imran Khan. He expressed shock at how far the team has fallen, comparing their current struggles to their past strength.

“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,” he said.

Ashwin also expressed his concern for Shan Masood, the current Pakistan Test captain. Ashwin suggested that managing the team under the current conditions might be challenging, given the team’s struggles.

“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,” he concluded.