With less than a week left for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, former Pakistan skipper Intikhab Alam has heaped praise on Kuldeep Yadav, hailing the latter as the best spinner featuring in the showpiece tournament.

Kuldeep has been in exceptional form in the 50-over format this year. The wrist-spinner has taken 33 wickets from 17 matches at an average of 16.03 with one five-wicket haul.

Kuldeep recently played a key role in India’s Asia Cup 2023 triumph. He took nine wickets at a remarkable average of 11.44 and an economy rate of 3.61 in five Asia Cup games and was awarded Player-of-the-Tournament.

According to Intikhab, Kuldeep will give India a distinct advantage in the middle overs during the World Cup, starting October 5.

He also expects Kuldeep to trouble the Pakistani batters in the much-anticipated clash on October 14 in Ahmedabad.

“The way India played in Asia Cup and played the final (decimating Sri Lanka). They look like the team to beat. Their spin attack stands out. Kuldeep is going to play a major role in the tournament. He will test the batters of all teams,” Intikhab Alam told PTI.

“Jadeja and Kuldeep make a lethal combination. Kuldeep is a match-winner. He is the best spinner in this World Cup in my opinion. Now you also have (Ravichandran) Ashwin back,” he added.

On the other hand, Intikhab termed Pakistan’s spin attack as weak. “In the bowling department, Pakistan’s spin attack is weak in the middle overs. In the Asia Cup, we struggled. It is important for them to do well in this phase else teams will easily score 300 against them,” he opined.

India will open their World Cup campaign against Australia at Chepauk on October 8.

(With PTI Inputs)