Kuldeep Yadav grabbed a three-for to harass Pakistan in the middle overs in the Sunday’s game at Dubai. Former Pakistan players Shoaib Malik and Umar Gull were flabbergasted at the batting, while Shoaib Akhtar used sarcastic humour to say these have been issues for a while now.
Former pacer Umar Gul brought up the Kuldeep Yadav factor when he said on PTV Sports: “The ball was not even spinning that much and Pakistan gave wickets to him. There was almost 10 overs of dot ball. As Shoaib Malik said now, you are not taking singles, not rotating the strike. The pressure builds on the other guy who then tries to hit next over and gets out.”
Former captain Shoaib Malik interjected at this point to make an observation about Kuldeep Yadav’s hold on Pakistan. “He has played 10 matches, taken 18 wickets, the average is 12.67 and economy rate is 3.93.
“We don’t play them at bilateral and we only play them at such ICC tournaments. Which means nobody has found a solution as yet to play him (in the space of 10 matches, spread over years)? Nobody is even bothered about it? Then what we are doing. What kind of planning and cricket is this? If a guy is coming and taking wickets everyday against us, we don’t have any solution?”
Another former captain Misbah-ul-Haq questioned the batsmen’s technique against the new ball.
“When you play against top quality team, your technique is tested. Also mentally you are tested. Then the strategy. What’s your plan? Once you go in, it’s all you ; coach or someone can’t tell you from outside. You have seen the attack, and decide what to do against each one of them. The ball moved a bit early on and Pakistan’s batting … feet stuck in the crease. Look at the openers. The feet aren’t moving, just the hands and bat moving – and you are bound to fail,” Misbah told PTV Sports.
Shoaib Akhtar though was in some mood. When he was asked why Pakistan chose to bat first when records show that chasing is better in Dubai, he turned on the sarcasm.
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“They must be thinking better than us. We also have played 25 years. Chalo teek hai yaar!”
Asked to analyse the rest of the game, Akthar offered with a smile: “I honestly dont have words to analyse. We have done this discussion before six months back. Just re-run that show instead of turning on all these lights and wasting money!”
Same thing. Same management, same coaches, same strike rate, same skill set issues.. strange coaching, strange system – I don’t know what to say really.”
