Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has said that lack of variation may be responsible for the failure of Indian bowler, Ravichandran Ashwin and his Australian counterpart, Nathan Lyon to repeat their feats in white-ball cricket.

The duo has been world-class bowlers in Tests, but they have been found wanting in the white-ball cricket.

Ahmed also said it could be due to the “lack of variations” on flat decks.

Ashwin, who had 365 wickets from 71 Tests, Lyon with 390 wickets in 96 Tests to his credit, and Pakistan’s leg spinner, Yasir Shah who has 213 wickets in 39 Tests have won many games for their countries in the most extended format but could not repeat their feats in ODIs and T20s.

Citing Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav as examples of bowlers who have recorded many wins in white-ball games for India in the last two years, Ahmed said Lyon, Ashwin and Yasir may be lacking enough variations to survive in one-day cricket.

Speaking with PTI in an exclusive interview, Pakistan great expressed the feeling that categorisation of Test and limited-overs spinners is what obtains at the moment.

Speaking further, he said Test cricket is still the ultimate challenge for the spinners, which is where they can know their true skills.

While stating that he admires Yasir, Lyon, Moeen Ali, Ashwin because of their contribution to the game, the Pakistan great noted that there had been a drastic change in the game since the introduction of the five fielder rule inside the (30-yard)  circle.

The plan he said has made mystery spinners as wrist spinners like Adil Rashid, Adam Zampa, Chahal, Kuldeep, Shadab Khan to become more effective.

It should be noted that the comeback of Ashwin into the Indian team is not imminent, having last played for his country in the 2017 West Indies tour.

 Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed