Former Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis has made some interesting choices while picking between Indian and Pakistani cricket stars. In a rapid-fire round, he backed Indian greats in most of the comparisons and picked only one Pakistan player in his combined India-Pakistan XI.Waqar, who played against India many times during his career, was recently a guest on the Shubhankar Mishra Podcast. He was asked to choose between some of the biggest names in cricket from the two countries.The former Pakistan captain’s choices included Sachin Tendulkar over Inzamam-ul-Haq, Virat Kohli over Babar Azam and MS Dhoni over Javed Miandad.
Waqar Younis picks Sachin, Kohli and Dhoni
Waqar was first asked to choose between batting legends Sachin Tendulkar and Inzamam-ul-Haq. He picked the former India captain.When asked to choose between Kohli and Babar, Waqar again went with the Indian star. He also preferred Jasprit Bumrah over Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi.Here is how the rapid-fire round went:Q: Sachin Tendulkar or Inzamam-ul-Haq?Waqar: Sachin Tendulkar.Q: Virat Kohli or Babar Azam?Waqar: Virat Kohli.Q: Shaheen Afridi or Jasprit Bumrah?Waqar: Jasprit Bumrah.Q: Virender Sehwag or Saeed Anwar?Waqar: Saeed Anwar.Q: Rahul Dravid or Younis Khan?Waqar: Rahul Dravid.Q: MS Dhoni or Javed Miandad?Waqar: MS Dhoni.Waqar was then asked a more specific question about finishing matches, with Dhoni and Miandad as the two options. He explained why he preferred the former India captain.Q: Match khatam karna ho to MS Dhoni ya Javed Miandad?Waqar: “I guess MS Dhoni ne jyada matches jitaye hain (in comparison to Miandad) apne carerr mein, and finishing mein. Javed bhai ne bhi kiye hain, but I will pick Dhoni.”Rohit Sharma, VVS Laxman and Mohammed Shami get the nodWaqar continued to favour Indian players in the remaining comparisons. He chose Rohit Sharma over Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman, VVS Laxman over Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammed Shami over Mohammad Amir.Here are his other picks:Q: Rohit Sharma or Fakhar Zaman?Waqar: Rohit Sharma.Q: VVS Laxman or Misbah-ul-Haq?Waqar: VVS Laxman.Q: Mohammed Shami or Mohammad Amir?Waqar: Mohammed Shami.The only Pakistan player Waqar selected in the rapid-fire round was Saeed Anwar, whom he preferred over former India opener Virender Sehwag.Waqar declines to pick between Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sameer MinhasWaqar was also asked to choose between India’s 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Pakistan’s 20-year-old youngster Sameer Minhas.However, he decided not to pick either player.“unko maine itna dekha nahi hai”, Waqar said, explaining that he had not watched them enough to make a choice.Sooryavanshi has been in the spotlight following his performances in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. He was included in India’s playing XI for the second T20I after Ishan Kishan was ruled out due to injury. The teenager scored just four runs in that match.He bounced back in the third T20I, smashing 45 runs off just 19 balls, including four sixes and four fours. His aggressive start helped India chase down a target of 199 and win the match by six wickets. India also took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Kohli set for New Zealand ODI series
Indian cricket’s focus will now shift to the five-match ODI series against New Zealand, followed by two Tests.Kohli is set to feature in the ODI series, which begins in Auckland on November 4. The remaining matches will be played in Wellington, Hamilton and Mount Maunganui.
