Asia Cup 2022: Pakistan Does Not Have An All-Rounder Like Hardik Pandya – Aaqib Javed

Former Pakistan fast bowler Aqib Javed mentioned the difference between India and Pakistan teams ahead of the Asia Cup 2022.

India and Pakistan have been paired in the Group A of the continental event with one more team joining them through the Qualifiers stage. The India vs Pakistan high-octane clash is scheduled on August 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

It is the same venue where Pakistan posted an emphatic 10-wicket win against their arch-rivals in the T20 World Cup last year in October. 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’s return to form after T20 World Cup 2021

Hardik Pandya was part of the team that lost to Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2021. Hardik purely played as a batter in that match as he was struggling with fitness.

Hardik was out of action for the Indian team after their embarrassing exit from the group stage. Hardik returned to IPL 2022 as Gujarat Titans captain and inspired them to their maiden title with sheer all-round performance.

Hardik earned his India place back by dint of IPL 2022 excellence. Since then he has been unstoppable within all spheres of the game. Apart from batting and bowling, Hardik has also proven his leadership credentials with a 2-0 win in Ireland and stood as India’s captain in the fifth T20I against the West Indies.

Pakistan does not have a Hardik Pandya like all-rounder: Aaqib Javed

Javed, who was part of Pakistan’s glorious 1992 World Cup-winning squad, termed Rohit Sharma and Fakhar Zaman as key batters from both sides.

The 50-year-old also reckoned Hardik Pandya will make the difference in the marquee clash with Pakistan lacking a genuine all-rounder in their ranks.

“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,” Javed told paktv.tv.

“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, that makes a difference. Because Pakistan does not have a Hardik Pandya like all-rounder,” he added.

Also Read: ‘Can Find Replacement Of Kohli, Rohit But All Plans Will Fail If Hardik Pandya Is Not There’- Aakash Chopra