Hardik Pandya reckons teamwork extremely important in India-Pakistan clash

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya said that teamwork will be a vital aspect of their game-plan ahead of their Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan. The high-octane game is set to attract large crowds at Edgbaston on June 4. That they’re very much in business in this edition of the Champions Trophy has been made abundantly clear by defending champions India, courtesy of two authoritative warm-up games.

On both occasions, an increasingly potent bowling line-up did exceedingly well to restrict their oppositions New Zealand and Bangladesh to a sub-150 total. In the batting department, Dinesh Karthik shone against Bangladesh and was ably assisted by Pandya. The latter smashed an unbeaten 54-ball 80 to power India over the 300-run mark. Indian bowlers responded to the soggy English conditions perfectly by scripting a rout in their second warm-up fixture. Hardik Pandya also chipped in with a scalp as the Indian seamers ripped off the Tigers.

Same preparations against Pakistan

Speaking to the media regarding preparations ahead of India’s encounter against Pakistan, Hardik said, “Preparations will be the same. India-Pakistan match is a big game and we have done some hard work. Pakistan has a good line-up as well.”

In Hardik’s view, not a single player but the entire team’s effort is what attracts favourable result for the team. “A single player can’t always win the match. It is always team work. So, it depends how they play as a team,” he quipped.

On the other hand, Pakistan were unlucky to have missed out on an opportunity to see the warm-up game through against Australia as typical English rains poured down. Against Bangladesh however, they displayed their strength with an authoritative chase. Pakistan scaled a target of 342 with 3 balls to spare.

Useful contributions from Ahmed Shahzad and Mohammed Hafeez up the order kept Pakistan in the chase. Veteran Shoaib Malik then accelerated with a well-made 72. Pakistan were however given the final thrust by a new kid on the block Fahim Ashraf. 23-year old Ashraf’s onslaught of 64 from 30 meant Pakistan were over the finish line with just 2 wickets in hand.

Given the way both teams have shaped up in the warm-up fixtures, the India v Pakistan game is certainly going to be a mouth-watering contest.