T20 World Cup 2021: Babar Azam Knew Exactly What He Was Doing With His XI But India Were Not - Inzamam-ul-Haq

Former Pakistan player Inzamam-ul-Haq pointed out that India’s team selection for the Pakistan match was off the mark. They needed to have a sixth bowling option just in case a primary bowler fails, but they decided to opt against it.

Hardik Pandya’s inclusion in the side has been questioned of late, with the all-rounder unable to bowl owing to some fitness issues. He shouldn’t have made the squad, let alone the playing XI, as per a few experts. Inzamam also felt the same regarding Hardik’s selection.

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

“If India played a sixth bowler, then it would have been better. Look at how playing Mohammad 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. Of course, they had Shoaib Malik too,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.

“I have waited 30 years for this, and some have waited even longer” – Inzamam ul Haq

Inzamam ul Haq further revealed that he had been waiting for over 30 years to watch Pakistan defeat India in a World Cup match. Since the inception of the tournament, be it ODIs or T20Is, Pakistan had failed to get the better of their arch-rivals, but it finally happened on Sunday in Dubai.

“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 unbroken partnership was brilliant,” Inzamam added.

The win gives Babar Azam and co. the perfect start in the tournament, and they will look to continue building on their momentum when they meet New Zealand in tonight’s game in Sharjah.

Also, Read – T20 World Cup 2021: Hardik Pandya’s Injury Is “Not Serious”, Expected To Recuperate Before Next Match