Waqar: India lucky to have all-round Ashwin
India and Pakistan may not agree on many things, but one thing they do have in common is an admiration for India all-rounder Ravi Ashwin, with Waqar Younis joining the praise.
The former Pakistan fast bowler was impressed with Ashwin’s efforts in the first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur, where he took 10 wickets and contributed with the bat as well.
Ashwin has since moved to second on the ICC rankings for Test bowlers, jumping over England’s James Anderson, and has cemented his place as the top-ranked all-rounder.
Waqar told the Hindustan Times: “I am happy for an intelligent bowler like Ashwin. Without doubt he is a quality bower and what he has achieved is amazing.
“He is not just taking wickets but also scoring runs. His all-round performance is outstanding. I am happy for him that he has achieved this milestone.
“He is young and has a lot of time. He can break a lot of records. Indian cricket is lucky to have such an all-round talent.”
India skipper Virat Kohli was in agreement, going so far as to call Ashwin a ‘priceless’ asset to the team.
Kohli said: “He understands the situation and plays accordingly. He knows when to get runs and when to play the situation out.
“So it’s priceless to have a cricketer like Ashwin in your Test team. He gives balance with both bat and ball.
“I would wish him all the best that he keeps nurturing his skill so that we can keep dominating Test matches and keep winning Test matches as much as we can.”
Latest
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.
-
England
Andrew Flintoff would be excellent England coach – Rob Key
The former national team captain will lead Northern Superchargers in The Hundred this summer.