Pakistan legend Inzamam-ul-Haq has lampooned retired Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar over the latter’s comments on Pakistan. Team India legend Gavaskar suggested Pakistan’s inferiority to the Men in Blue’s cricket prowess during a recent interview.
Inzamam has now come out with a strong-worded statement directed at Gavaskar after these comments were made public.
What Did Gavaskar Say to Attract Such Ire from Pakistan?
Sunil Gavaskar was speaking about Pakistan’s poor showing at the just-concluded Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan was the host nation, but had to endure a string of embarrassing losses before crashing out of the competition. India handed Pakistan a humiliating loss at DICS, Dubai, and Gavaskar had this to say after the game:
“I think a Team India B Team certainly challenge Pakistan. C team, I am not too sure. But a B team will be very, very hard to beat for Pakistan in their current form.”
The statement attracted animated reactions from Pakistan fans online immediately after it became public. Popular figures within the Pakistan team, especially veteran players, reacted in harsh tones against Gavaskar’s comments.
Gavaskar “Should Control His Tongue” – Inzamam-ul-Haq
Inzamam did not dispute India’s superior gameplay vs Pakistan and admitted they were the better side. However, he took a subtle dig at Sunil Gavaskar for his statement, alleging the India veteran fled Sharjah to avoid playing the Men in Green during his cricket career:
“India won the match, they played well but Mr. Gavaskar should also take a look at stats. He once fled Sharjah to escape from playing against Pakistan,” Inzamam said.
Gavaskar comments on other teams “in bad taste”
He went further to call Gavaskar a “senior” and faulted his comments against Pakistan:
” He is older than us; he is our senior. We greatly respect him, but you should not speak about a country like that. Sure, you have the right to praise your team as much as you want, but commenting like this on other teams is in bad taste.”
“Look at stats” – Inzamam admonishes Gavaskar
Inzamam concluded by suggesting Gavaskar check the stats to see Pakistan’s current standing in ODIs:
“Tell him to look at stats, and he’ll know where Pakistan is. I am deeply hurt that he gave such a statement. He was a great, respectful cricketer, but by making such comments, he is only demeaning his legacy. He should control his tongue,” he concluded.
Sunil Gavaskar Comments are “Nonsense” – Jason Gillespie
Former Pakistan white-ball coach Jason Gillespie shared comments criticizing Gavaskar’s assessment of the team at CT 2025. He claims Pakistan’s time as a team will come and tagged Gavaskar’s rating of the side as “nonsense”:
“I don’t buy this rhetoric. I saw some comments from Sunil Gavaskar about the Indian B team or Indian C team beating Pakistan’s top team. That’s nonsense. Absolute nonsense. If Pakistan pick and stick with the right players and gives them time to shine, time to learn, and time to develop their games, they can beat anyone. I have got no doubt about that,” he said.
Pakistan side have “immense talent” – Gillespie
Gillespie left the Pakistan team shortly before CT 2025, but he believes this current side has every requirement to succeed:
“They have immense talent. The key is selecting the right kind of players, supporting them, and being patient. In my opinion, there’s far too much impatience in Pakistan cricket,” Gillespie added.
Fresh changes in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hierarchy after the ODI World Cup 2023 fuelled several shake-ups in the team. Gillespie’s comments refer to the hasty decision-making as a major challenge impeding Pakistan’s success in limited-overs cricket.
Gillespie advises Pakistan amid troubling performances
The former Men in Green coach shared his opinion on how Pakistan can emerge from this tough phase to become one of cricket’s top sides again:
“If the PCB, as a board, wants to change and get the right results, they need to get the right people, the right selection panel, and give players time to flourish and do their job. If you are hiring a new coach, give him the opportunity to do something meaningful, give him the time. Otherwise, the results are going to be the same,” he concluded.
How Did Pakistan Perform During the CT 2025?
Pakistan had to endure a horror show as hosts of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The Men in Green lost games against eventual finalists New Zealand and winners India. They didn’t get a chance to play against Bangladesh as the match was cancelled due to bad weather.
