'Main Kuldeep Yadav ko select ni kar sakta' - Inzamam ul Haq's cheeky reply to a journalist goes viral

Pakistan announced their 15-member squad for the ODI World Cup 2023 on Friday, September 22 2023. Star seamer Naseem Shah has been ruled out of the event due to his shoulder injury. Following the squad announcement, Pakistan Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq addressed the media in a press conference where he was questioned about the below-par performances of Pakistan spinners Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz. 

Notably, a journalist compared the numbers of the Pakistan spin duo with Indian left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav. The question got a cheeky reply from the former Pakistan captain who said that he can’t select Kuldeep since he’s from the other team.

“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,” Inzamam said in the viral video.

I cannot select Kuldeep Yadav (LAUGH) - Inzamam Ul Haq

VC: PCB#Cricket | #Pakistan | #InzamamUlHaq | #KuldeepYadav | #CWC23 | #WeHaveWeWill | #India pic.twitter.com/aQEYwd0CjU

— Khel Shel (@khelshel) September 22, 2023

Inzamam further said that the World Cup squad cannot be changed abruptly and backed both Nawaz and Shadab to do well in the World Cup as well.

"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 own caliber but they have done so in the past and we have confidence in them," he added.

Notably, Shadab and Nawaz don’t have great numbers to show for them with the ball heading into the World Cup. Shadab has picked 21 wickets in ODIs since 2022 at an average of 35 while Nawaz has picked 20 wickets in the same time frame at an average of 32.15.

Kuldeep Yadav is India's second-highest wicket-taker since 2022

On the other hand, Kuldeep Yadav is India’s second-highest wicket-taker since 2022 with 43 wickets to his name from 23 innings. The left-arm wrist spinner has an average of 18.93 and an economy of 4.70 in the past two years with three four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul to his name.

Kuldeep has been touted as India’s trump card by Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar heading into the World Cup 2023. The 28-year-old will look to continue his form in the marquee event as well.