National chief selector also defended mega event squad selection
26 May, 2019
PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan Chief Selector Inzamamul Haq believes that Men in Green will end their losing streak against India in World Cup matches.
While talking to Cricket Pakistan in an exclusive interview, Inzamam said that, Pakistan who have lost all six matches they have played against their arch-rivals India in previous matches of the mega event, will finally get their breakthrough victory at the 2019 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup in England and Wales.
“People take Indo-Pak match very seriously and some even go on to say that we will be happy even if only win against India during the World Cup,” said Inzamam. “I’m hopeful that we will end our losing streak against India in World Cup matches.”
The former Pakistan batsman also spoke about the pressure which comes with selecting a squad for the national side.
“People think it is easy to jot down 14-15 players in order to form a squad but it’s nothing like that because there is a lot of pressure,” he said. “For example it was very difficult for us to select fast-bowlers for the World Cup because there were a lot of good names around including the likes of Amir, Junaid and Shinwari.”
The 49-year-old also spoke about the threat posed by minnows like Afghanistan during the upcoming mega event.
“I think we should not take any team lightly during the World Cup,” he said. “Teams like Afghanistan can upset some of the bigger teams. Even if you play, for instance, against Afghanistan or England, you get the same value with two points.”
Inzamam also spoke about the importance of getting off to a good start in the World Cup.
“Getting off to a good start is important and I think our team has the ability to do that,” he said.
Inzamam also defended the selections he made in the World Cup squad, namely pacers Mohammad Hasnain and Wahab Riaz.
“Like I said before Hasnain’s pace, who can touch 150 kph, would add a new dimension to our bowling attack because the rest of the bowlers penetrate only around the 130-140 kph mark,” he said. “Meanwhile Wahab’s experience will help the side and especially if the ball is reversing a bit.”
He also revealed his picks for the semi-final spots of the World Cup.
“I think England, as they are the number one side in the world, India, because of the balance of their side, New Zealand, as they have played good cricket in the build up to the event, and of course Pakistan will be my final four,” he said.
