Former Pakistan skipper reveals reason behind India’s setback

Lahore: Virat Kohli and his team have faced backlash in the wake of the humiliating loss against Pakistan. After all, cricket experts have different opinions about where the mistake happened with Team India. Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain and legendary batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq reckoned that India’s playing combination was not right in the match and India’s biggest mistake was playing all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

“India’s biggest setback was because they played Hardik Pandya. India was not right with their team selection. Babar Azam knew exactly what he was doing with his XI but India was not,” Inzamam said on his YouTube channel.

Inzamam also stated that Pandya should not have pointed towards his shoulder after being hit as it gives the opposition clues. He cited the example of legendary Sachin Tendulkar who never showed the pain of being hit.

“I did not think it was the right thing for Pandya to point towards his shoulder after being hit. When you play a high-voltage match like this, you don’t give a clue to the opposition even when you are hurt. I have seen Indian players like Sachin Tendulkar get hit but they didn’t use to rub that part. They gave no clue that they were hurt. I immediately got a clue that India was under pressure when Pandya grabbed his shoulders. That was not a good sign. He didn’t come outfield, didn’t bowl,” said the former Pakistan batter.

In the IND vs PAK match in Dubai, Hardik scored 11 runs off 8 balls before hitting his right shoulder while attempting a pull shot. Later he was dismissed by Haris Rauf. It was understood that he was not feeling at all comfortable. After that Pandya did not enter the field. He was taken to the hospital for a scan. Ishan Kishan then took the field in place of Pandya.

Inzamam explained that the absence of a sixth bowler hurt India’s chances and put captain Kohli under a lot of pressure. He also explained how Pakistan skipper Babar Azam made good use of his multiple bowling options.
“If India played a sixth bowler, then it would have been better. Look at how playing Mohmmad Hafeez gave an advantage to Babar Azam. He got two overs out of the way by using Hafeez instead of bowling four from Imad Wasim. They had Shoaib Malik too,” he added.

The Pakistan great further said he had waited for 30 years to see Pakistan beat India in a World Cup match.

“I had waited for this for 30 years and some have waited even longer. Pakistan outclassed India in all departments. Pakistan dominated from the first ball to the last. Not a single thing went against Pakistan. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf did well with the ball. Hasan Ali went for runs but his aggression was good. Rizwan and Babar’s unbroken partnership was brilliant,” Inzamam concluded.