“I Cannot Select Kuldeep Yadav” - Inzamam ul Haq's Cheeky Reply To A Journalist Goes Viral [WATCH]

Pakistan's cricket team has announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023. Unfortunately, star seamer Naseem Shah will not be able to participate due to his shoulder injury. During a press conference, Pakistan Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq addressed concerns about spinners Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz's performances. Despite this setback, the team remains determined to give their best and make their nation proud in the upcoming tournament.

I cannot select Kuldeep Yadav in our Pakistan team, says Pakistan Chief Selector Inzamam ul Haq

During the press conference, a journalist asked about the performance of the Pakistan spin duo compared to Indian left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Pakistan Chief Selector Inzamam ul Haq responded with a humorous remark, stating that he could not select Kuldeep as he belongs to their neighbours and arch-rivals, India. Inzamam ul Haq noted that the World Cup squad could not be changed suddenly and expressed confidence in Nawaz and Shadab's ability to perform well in the tournament.

"You have come up with some good stats on both bowlers, but let me say that I cannot select Kuldeep Yadav…for me, that's an issue as he is from another team. We have selected Shadab and Nawaz because we wanted continuity. The World Cup squad is planned for years ahead and cannot be changed abruptly. Shadab and Nawaz have been doing very well for Pakistan for the past two years. They have not been taking wickets in the middle and performing up to their own calibre, but they have done so in the past, and we have confidence in them," Pakistan Chief Selector Inzamam ul Haq said.

WATCH: Inzamam's Cheeky Reply To A Journalist Goes Viral

I cannot select Kuldeep Yadav (LAUGH) - Inzamam Ul Haq

VC: PCB#Cricket | #Pakistan | #InzamamUlHaq | #KuldeepYadav | #CWC23 | #WeHaveWeWill | #India pic.twitter.com/aQEYwd0CjU

— Khel Shel (@khelshel) September 22, 2023

It's worth noting that Shadab and Nawaz haven't achieved impressive stats with the ball leading up to the World Cup. Shadab has only taken 21 wickets in ODIs since 2022, averaging 35. Meanwhile, Nawaz has taken 20 wickets in the same time period, averaging 32.15. In contrast, Kuldeep Yadav is India's second-highest wicket-taker since 2022. He has 43 wickets from 23 innings, with an average of 18.93 and an economy of 4.70 in the past two years. He has also secured three four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul. Indian Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar has touted Kuldeep as India's secret weapon heading into the World Cup 2023.

The ICC ODI World Cup 2023 is scheduled to start on October 5 in India, with England, the defending champions, playing New Zealand in a repeat of the 2019 World Cup final. Pakistan will face arch-rivals India on October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. It will be the third successive year that the two teams will lock horns in an ICC event in October, having previously met in the T20 World Cup 2021 (UAE) and T20 World Cup 2022 (Australia).