There’s always room for debate and comparisons regarding cricket, especially in the subcontinent. The recent discussion around the effectiveness of Pakistan’s spinners compared to their Indian counterparts has certainly fueled some fiery conversations. Pakistan’s former captain and the current chief selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq, had a few interesting things to say about this and more.
One of the pressing questions that has been doing the rounds is how Pakistan’s spinners, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, stack up against India’s Kuldeep Yadav. The concern primarily revolves around the lack of wickets taken by the Pakistani duo in the middle overs recently. Inzamam, however, didn’t seem too eager to entertain this comparison. He emphasized that Pakistan is working with the resources they have.
Inzamam had a rather cheeky one-liner in response to the Kuldeep Yadav comparison: “The first problem is I cannot select Kuldeep Yadav. He plays for another team. With Shadab and Nawaz I have tried to keep continuity. You are right that their performances of late haven’t been to that level and we will hope that they deliver, else we do have the option of Usama Mir.”
Despite the recent performance challenges, Inzamam hinted that he’s keen on maintaining continuity with Shadab and Nawaz. They hope to rise to the occasion and deliver when it matters most. However, he did hint about a backup plan, mentioning the option of Usama Mir.
The former speedster had hinted at a potential comeback to international cricket, and with Naseem Shah sidelined due to injury, there was speculation about whether Amir could make a return. Inzamam had a straightforward response to this matter.
He acknowledged Amir’s skills as a bowler but clarified that if he wants to don the green jersey again, he must first prove himself in domestic cricket. The doors aren’t closed, but the path to a comeback requires hard work and performances on the domestic circuit.
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Inzamam concluded, “Amir is a good bowler, everyone knows that. He took retirement from international cricket. If he wishes to play for Pakistan, he should come and play first-class cricket here, give a performance and then will be considered. As said before, the doors aren’t closed on anyone here.”
In cricket, as in life, only time can reveal the outcomes of these decisions and strategies. Whether Pakistan made the right call by backing Hasan Ali as Naseem Shah’s replacement remains to be seen. Cricket, after all, is a game of uncertainties and surprises.
