Inzi vs MoYo: This question left the World-XI players bewildered
The players were asked if runners were allowed who they would choose among Inzamam and Yousuf
LAHORE: (Web Desk) – Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday shared a video with the fans on its Facebook page where the World-XI’s visiting players were asked who they would choose between two former Pakistan captains Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam ul-Haq as runners if allowed.
The players were simply dumbfounded as the two extremely terrible runners between the wickets were up for grabs and none of them really seemed interested in picking any of the two. The only person who didn’t laugh on the question was South African spinner Imran Tahir, who actually seemed to be so puzzled by the question that he kept thinking for a long time, trying maybe to figure out if he had heard the question right.
A visual depiction of what World-XI players were really up against
In the end, it was a close call in MoYo’s favour who won the clash 5 votes to 4. He was picked by Sri Lanka’s Thisara Perera, South African Hashim Amla, West Indies’ Darren Sammy, Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal and England’s Paul Collingwood. Inzamam was picked by England’s Ben Cutting, New Zealand’s Grant Elliott, South Africa’s David Miller and Lahori-South African Imran Tahir. George Bailey decided in favouring of getting retired hurt over picking any of these two.
However, it can’t really be said with conviction why they’d pick Yousuf over Inzamam. A statistical analysis might not tell you this but the fact is that Inzi was a much more reliable partner than MoYo. Watch the videos of all the run-outs the two have been involved in and you’d know that Inzi would never back out from a run once he’s into it. Even if you say No. If you stop running and tell him to go back, he’d either not give a damn about what you’ve said and run to your side or just stand there in the middle of the pitch, looking at you with that broken heart and a ‘Et tu Brute’ look in his eyes.
Yousuf, on the other hand, wouldn’t wait a moment before giving you up if he realises that he’s the one in trouble. At times, he won’t even call a NO and just run back to his crease upon sensing danger on the other end. If you don’t believe me, go ask Younis Khan, the man who spent most time with the legendary batsman on the crease. As a matter of fact, MoYo was involved in so many run-outs only because he was a terrible judge of runs, not that he was a slow runner. He was lightening quick in fact.
Even Darren Sammy might have to recheck his statement that he’d be quicker than both even if injured. MoYo might beat him to the other end, once he knows there’s no threat there.
The two legends of international cricket, and definitely masters of modern cricket, were a treat to watch when batting. Yousuf was probably the sweetest driver of the ball and about Inzamam Ian Chappel once said: One of the most beautiful sights in cricket is to watch Inzamam coming down the wicket and launching a spinner for a massive six. However, it wasn’t really fun watching them coming down the wicket for a run.
The story has been written by Ali Warsi.
