Sachin Tendulkar over Inzamam-ul-Haq, Virat Kohli over Babar Azam, MS Dhoni over Javed Miandad: Waqar Younis makes bold decisions – WATCH

Sachin Tendulkar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Virat Kohli and Babar Azam (Image credit: Agencies) Former Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis made some interesting choices when choosing between Indian and Pakistani cricket stars. In the rapid-fire round, he backed the Indian giants in most comparisons and picked just one Pakistani player in his combined India-Pakistan XI.Waqar, who has played against India many times in 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 picked 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 chose the former Indian captain.When asked to choose between Kohli and Babar, Waqar once again went with the Indian star. He also preferred Jasprit Bumrah over Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi.Here’s how the rapid-fire round went:Question: 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 ending matches, with Dhoni and Miandad being the two options. He explained why he prefers the former Indian captain.Q: Should I finish the match with MS Dhoni or Javed Miandad?Waqar: “I think MS Dhoni won more matches (compared to Miandad) in his career and in the finals. Javed bhai also didn’t win but I will pick Dhoni.”Rohit Sharma, VVS Laxman and Mohammed Shami get the nodWaqar continued to favor Indian players in the remaining comparisons. He picked Rohit Sharma ahead of Pakistan batsman Fakhar Zaman, VVS Laxman ahead of Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammed Shami ahead of Mohammad Amir.Here are his other picks:Q: Rohit Sharma or Fakhar Zaman?By Rohit Sharma.Question: VVS Laxman or Misbah-ul-Haq?Waqar: VVS Laxman.Q: Mohammed Shami or Mohammad Amir?Waqar: Mohammed Shami.The only Pakistani player Waqar picked in the rapid-fire round was Saeed Anwar, who he preferred over former Indian opener Virender Sehwag.Waqar refuses to choose between Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sameer MinhasWaqar was also asked to choose between India’s 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and 20-year-old Pakistani youngster Sameer Minhas.However, he decided not to select a single player.“Unko maine itna dekha nahi hai,” Waqar said, explaining that he hadn’t watched them long enough to decide.Sooryavanshi has been in the limelight after his performances in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. He was included in India’s playing eleven for the second T20I after Ishan Kishan was ruled out due to injury. The teenager scored only four runs in this 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 the target of 199 and win the match by six wickets. India also took an elusive 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Kohli kit for New Zealand ODI series

Indian cricket’s attention will now shift to the five-match ODI series against New Zealand, followed by two Tests.Kohli is expected to feature in the ODI series starting in Auckland on November 4. The remaining matches will be played in Wellington, Hamilton and Mount Maunganui.