Wasim Akram Shares His Take on a Possible Pakistan-India Test Series

For all the electrifying battles Pakistan and India have staged in limited-overs cricket, one format has been missing for nearly two decades: Test cricket—and a proper series between the two in the game’s purest format.

Legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram is the latest voice to express optimism about a possible solution, saying it remains his dream to see the two sides share the longest format once more.

The two nations last played a Test series in 2007, before political tensions froze bilateral cricketing ties. Since then, the rivalry has surfaced only in ICC tournaments and continental events, often producing gripping contests but never in the traditional format Akram believes the game still needs.

“I hope to see a Test series between India and Pakistan in my lifetime,” Akram said while answering fan questions during a recent appearance on the Stick To Cricket podcast. His words echo the sentiment of countless fans who still yearn for the five-day drama of Indo‑Pak cricket, which once drew record crowds and global attention.

The absence of Test cricket between Pakistan and India has been debated for years, with many former pros offering their takes as well.

While acknowledging the strained political climate, Wasim Akram also stressed that cricket should be allowed to flourish as a bridge rather than fall victim to external divisions. He urged supporters on both sides to keep the rivalry spirited but respectful. “They are patriotic about their country; we are patriotic about ours. Let’s not go below the belt. Talk about the triumphs of your country; the same goes for Pakistan and the same goes for India,” he said.

This discussion comes just weeks before the Asia Cup 2025, where Pakistan and India are slated to meet in the group stage on September 14 in the UAE. Political debates over the clash have already surfaced, but Akram insists “the game must go on.”

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For a World Test Championship that is looking for inspiration, a bilateral Test series between Pakistan and India may be the very shot in the arm it needs.

For now, the Asia Cup will provide the next chapter in cricket’s fiercest rivalry. Yet Akram’s heartfelt wish is a reminder that nothing quite matches the theatre of a Pakistan–India Test—a contest the cricketing world has been deprived of for far too long.

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