Rashid Latif, a former captain of Pakistan, believes that Indian spin bowler Kuldeep Yadav would likely end the ICC World Cup 2023 with the most wickets. The left-arm wrist spinner has so far in the quadrennial showcase taken five wickets in three games at an average of 23.40.
In India’s crushing seven-wicket victory over Pakistan on Saturday (October 14), Kuldeep recorded two for 35. In the 33rd over, he got rid of Iftikhar Ahmed and Saud Shakeel and was the only Indian bowler to deliver all 10 of his allotted overs.
Rashid Latif noted in his editorial for The Indian Express how Pakistan’s batting order had a bewildered expression when facing Kuldeep Yadav in the middle. He said
“Against Kuldeep, we looked timid, we were trying to just play out his ten overs. Not a single Pakistan batsman was able to pick Kuldeep (Yadav), and I think if he is not rested in a few matches, Kuldeep will end up being the leading wicket-taker of the tournament.”
Rashid Latif
Senior Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has just appeared in the team’s opening match against Australia in Chennai, making his inclusion in this World Cup nothing short of shocking. In the past two games, fast bowler Shardul Thakur took Ashwin’s spot in the starting XI. Rashid Latif suggested the following while discussing how Ashwin’s inclusion in the Indian bowling assault might have benefited Pakistan:
“I was surprised that India didn’t pick Ashwin. I feel he should play all the matches for India. If Ashwin had played I don’t think we could have even got 190 on the board.”
Rashid Latif
Rashid Latif Criticizes Pakistan’s Old-Fashioned Approach to ODI Cricket
Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq, the Pakistani openers, made promising starts with the bat but were unable to turn them into significant innings. The only notable aspect of Pakistan’s performance that garnered significant attention was the 82-run partnership between captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan. Following Babar’s dismissal in the 30th over, the Men in Green fell apart, going from 155/2 to 191/10.
Rashid Latif described Pakistan’s hitting as outdated since there are no specialized batters in their starting lineup.
“Pakistan’s current ODI template is old. They want to follow the old ODI template of saving wickets till 40 overs and then target the last ten. The game has changed; we are still stuck in the past. This team is not playing modern-day cricket. We don’t have specialists; there is no X factor in the playing XI,” the former Pakistan skipper mentioned.
Rashid Latif
On Friday, October 20, Pakistan will play Australia in Bengaluru; a day earlier, on October 19, India will play Asian rivals Bangladesh in Pune.