Aaqib Javed mentioned the difference between India and Pakistan teams ahead of the Asia Cup 2022. India had lost by 10 wickets in their last meeting against their arch-nemesis Pakistan, in the 2021 T20I World Cup, in Dubai.
Ahead of their blockbuster Asia Cup 2022 clash at the same venue, Pakistan’s World Cup-winning pacer Aaqib Javed made a huge claim as he compared the two sides. After a gap of four years, the Asia Cup tournament is all set to return later in August in the UAE where India will face Pakistan in the second match of the 2022 edition at the Dubai International Stadium.
Aaqib Javed: Pakistan Doesn’t Have An All-Rounder Like Hardik Pandya
Aaqib Javed, Pakistan’s World Cup-winning pace bowler, opined that the difference lies in the middle-order line-up in the batting department. Aaqib Javed feels both teams have top-order batters who possess match-winning skills, but the difference truly stands in the presence of all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
“The difference between the two teams lies in their batting. India’s batting is still more experienced. If a batter like Rohit Sharma clicks, he can single-handedly win the match for India. Similarly with Fakhar Zaman. If he plays with control, he can win the match for Pakistan. But the middle-order line-up of India and Pakistan, that’s the difference. Also their all-rounder, makes a difference. Because Pakistan does not have a Hardik Pandya like all-rounder,” Aaqib Javed said.
Hardik Pandya was part of the Indian team that had lost to Pakistan in Dubai last October. But the India star had featured in the XI solely as a batter.
Hardik Pandya Was Recalled After An Impressive IPL 2022
With India lacking a sixth-bowling option amid the onslaught from captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, the Pakistan opening pair raced away with the game, scripting a historic 10-wicket win against the Men in Blue.
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam (68*) and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan (79*) nullified the Indian bowlers after the dew came into play and chased down 152 with 13 balls to spare.
Hardik Pandya thereafter made himself unavailable for selection and only returned to action in IPL 2022 where he showed his ability to play as an all-rounder yet again. Following his impressive show, Hardik Pandya was recalled to the India T20I side before he cemented his spot yet again for the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.
Hardik Pandya was named the Player of the Series against England as India won the ODI series 2-1. The all-rounder was at his best with both the ball and the bat, as he made 100 runs and picked 6 wickets in the series. His best of 71 and 4/24 came in the 3rd and final ODI.
Hardik Pandya scored 487 runs in IPL 2022 at an average of 44.27 and a strike rate of 131.27. He also picked eight wickets at an economy rate of 7.28. Taking extra responsibility on the batting front at No. 3-4, Hardik Pandya topped the runs chart for Gujarat Titans.
He also filled in the fifth/sixth bowler’s capacity, taking 8 wickets with a healthy economy rate to dispel doubts around his bowling fitness. The right-arm seamer reserved his best for the last by delivering an impactful spell of 3 for 17 off his 4 overs in the final.