‘Against him we looked timid’ – Former Pakistan skipper heaps praise on Kuldeep Yadav after his heroics against Pakistan in ODI World Cup 2023

Team India defeated Pakistan in the third game of the ODI World Cup 2023 on October 14 at the iconic Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. Notably, the Men in Green had the perfect start, as they were 155-2 at one time and were looking into a solid position. However, Indian bowlers held their nerves and restricted them to just 191 runs to make sure their side continued the winning streak in the ongoing marquee event.

However, following their loss against the hosts, former Pakistani cricketer Rashid Latif heaped praise on India’s great cricketer Kuldeep Yadav. The former batsman feels that Pakistani batters were looking very timid in front of India’s wrist spinner, Kuldeep Yadav. Notably, the DC bowler had scalped two wickets against Pakistan in the ODI World Cup 2023, whereas he also took a five-wicket haul against Babar Azam and Co. in the Super Fours of Asia Cup 2023. Moreover, the former Pakistani skipper feels Kuldeep Yadav can end the tournament as the leading wicket-taker of the ODI World Cup 2023.

“Against Kuldeep, we looked timid, we were trying to just play out his ten overs. Not a single Pakistan batsman was able to pick Kuldeep (Yadav), and I think if he is not rested in a few matches, Kuldeep will end up being the leading wicket-taker of the tournament,” Rashid Latif said.

If Ashwin had played I don’t think we could have even got 190: Rashid Latif

Meanwhile, the Karachi-born cricketer was surprised after not witnessing star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI. The former right-handed batsman feels they would not have been able to post 190 on the board against India if Ravichandran Ashwin had played the game. Moreover, the great cricketer feels great all-rounder should get the chance to feature in every game for India in the ODI World Cup 2023.

“I was surprised that India didn’t pick Ashwin. I feel he should play all the matches for India. If Ashwin had played I don’t think we could have even got 190 on the board,” he added further.