Inzamam-ul-Haq’s response over Kuldeep Yadav leave everyone in splits

Pakistan’s former captain and current chief selector Inzamam-Ul-Haq, who was known for his dry and innocent sense of humour in his playing days, was seen at his old best during Pakistan's press conference for the Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

The press questioned Inzamam on the inclusion of spinners Shadab Khan and Mohammad Namaz despite their poor performance in the Asia Cup, 2023 by citing their arch-rival India’s premier spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s scintillating numbers in the same tournament to which Inzamam cheekily responded that he cannot pick Kuldeep Yadav as he plays for India.

It all happened after the Pakistan World Cup squad was announced and a reporter asked Inzamam about Pakistan’s spinners' performance in comparison to its Indian counterpart to which Inzamam replied “You have come up with some good stats on both bowlers but let me say that I cannot select Kuldeep Yadav…for me that's an issue as he is from another team”.

 Pakistan still believes in Shadab and Nawaz

Inzamam-ul-Haq further stated that he realizes that Shadab and Nawaz haven’t been up to the mark in the ODI for Pakistan in recent times but he said that teams for the World Cup are planned for years ahead and demand continuity.

He said that these are the same spinners that have performed well for Pakistan in the past and the recent hiccups in their performance could not discount what they have done for Pakistan in the past.

Answering the press Inzamam said, "We have selected Shadab and Nawaz because we wanted continuity. The World Cup squad is planned for years ahead, and cannot be changed abruptly. Shadab and Nawaz have been doing very well for Pakistan for the past two years. They have not been taking wickets in the middle and performing up to their calibre but they have done so in the past and we have confidence in them,".

Pakistan’s injury woes

Before the Asia Cup Pakistan was looking like a well-oiled machine but since they have been dealing with major injury issues on the bowling front one of their premier pacer Naseem Shah suffered a shoulder injury during the Asia Cup that ruled him out of the tournament.

This all of a sudden forced the Pakistan team to fall back on experienced Hasan Ali who was way down the pecking order as fast bowling backups the backups including Mohammad Hasnain and Ihsanullah were already suffering from injuries.

Though the injuries have given a jolt to Pakistan’s World Cup Campaigns they will still be hoping to make it in this year’s 50-over World Cup under Babar Azam’s captaincy.