Pakistani batters struggled to tackle Kuldeep Yadav in the World Cup 2023 match in Ahmedabad.
Invited to bat first, Pakistan’s innings folded for a below-par 191 in 42.5 overs. The Men in Green were 155/2 at one stage but suffered a collapse that saw them lose eight wickets for just 36 runs.
In reply, Rohit Sharma took the Pakistani bowling attack to the cleaners, smashing 86 off 63 balls to put his team on the brink of victory. After his dismissal, Shreyas Iyer (53*) and KL Rahul (19*) completed the formalities and took India over the line with 117 deliveries to spare.
Following the humiliating loss, pace legend Wasim Akram questioned the Pakistani batters’ ability to play googlies, saying that they had no idea how to tackle such deliveries and were completely exposed by the Indian spinners.
India’s spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav (2-35) and Ravindra Jadeja (2-38) returned with two scalps each. While Kuldeep dismissed Saud Shakeel and Iftikhar Ahmed, Jadeja got rid of Hasan Ali and Haris Rauf.
"The way Iftikhar played the googly, it was like he was shutting down the window of the train that shows his inability to read googly and he is one of our important and experienced batters in the middle order. When you bat at No. 5 or 6 in the middle order you get to face spinners. You don't expect them to give you dolly deliveries so that you smash out of the park," Akram told A-Sports.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, Wasim Akram also recalled his previous comments about Kuldeep Yadav.
"Mai tab se keh raha tha yeh Kuldeep tang karega Pakistan ke middle order batters ko, think tank sun lete. (Since the Asia Cup, I said that Kuldeep would trouble Pakistan's middle order, the think tank should've listened to me). At this level, they should pick the spinners (types of deliveries)," Wasim said.
"The batting coach doesn't have to [give them the plan]. They are playing for the country. This year Kuldeep has taken seven wickets against Pakistan, the average is 8.57, economy rate is 3.33. It's like he is playing against people who actually can't see his [bowling]. Read to kya dekh bhi nahi sakte ab (They can't even see his bowling, forget about reading the delivery)," he added.
Pakistan’s next World Cup clash is scheduled against Australia in Bangalore on Friday (October 20).