Pakistan skipper Babar Azam praised Hardik Pandya for playing the match-winning knock for India in the Asia Cup 2022 on Sunday, August 28. The right-handed Hardik came to bat after left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz picked up the crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Pandya took his time early on, but stepped on the gas as the required rate climbed above 10 when India were chasing 148 to win at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Babar lauded Pandya for stepping up for the Men in Blue with both bat and ball.
“Hardik Pandya batted and bowled really well and he’s a very good all-rounder. The way he finished the game was impressive,” Babar was quoted as saying in the post-match press conference.
Apart from scoring an unbeaten 17-ball 33, Pandya also chipped in with three important wickets that helped him fetch the Player of the Match award. Hardik hit Nawaz for a six downtown and helped India beat Pakistan by five wickets.
The 27-year-old Babar, in the meantime, also had words of praise for Naseem Shah and Mohammad Nawaz for the way they bowled.
“We planned to take the game deep and the way Naseem bowled was fantastic. He picked up early wickets and also bowled well at the death. Unfortunately, we couldn’t finish well, but Nawaz should be credited for the way he bowled the last over as it was a pressure match,” he stated.
However, Babar also admitted that Pakistan were a few runs short despite the pitch being not an excellent one for batting. “The pitch was double-paced and we would have bowled first as well had we won the toss. But it’s not an excuse for us. We were a few runs short,” Babar added.
Pakistan are next scheduled to lock horns with Nizakat Khan’s Hong Kong on Friday, September 2 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.