Former Pakistan player makes a controversial statement on Rishabh Pant

India and England are currently engrossed in a battle for the chance to hold the Pataudi trophy. The series began last July with a 5 match test series and there were 4 matches that were completed. The 5th match was postponed to 2022 as COVID cases struck the Indian camp before the Manchester test. The 5th rescheduled test began on 1st July at the Edgbaston ground in Birmingham. It was a great first day for India and for Rishabh Pant in particular. But one Pakistan former player has now made a controversial statement about the knock.

The story as it happened –

Pant walked into bat with the score reading 64 for 3, as Vihari had fallen to Potts for 20. India lost two more wickets after that in the form of Kohli and Iyer to be placed at 98 for 5. That’s where the entire change happened as Pant attacked the bowling and went after every English bowler. Jack Leach in particular wasn’t spared as he was smacked for 71 runs from 9 overs. Pant scored a century in 89 balls and finished with 146 off 111 balls.

Mohammad Asif makes a controversial statement –

Disgraced former pacer, Mohammad Asif has now come out and made a highly controversial statement about Pant’s knock. In what seems like a condescending statement, Asif said “It was totally England bowlers’ fault as Pant did no wonders. He [Pant] has technical faults. His left hand doesn’t work but still, he managed to score a century because English bowlers didn’t bowl to him in his weak areas. I will not name individuals but England made a lot of mistakes. When Jadeja and Pant were batting, they brought in a left-arm spinner who wasn’t an ideal option to bowl at that moment.”

Pant and Jadeja pull India back into the game –

The 6th wicket stand between Pant and Jadeja was 222 runs with Pant playing the aggressor. Jadeja on the other hand was playing circumspect cricket and was playing the 2nd fiddle. Pant scored his 5th test ton and 4th away from India in his short test career. The 24 year old changed the whole complexion of the game, with his fearless approach to the game. Jadeja too scored his 3rd test ton and 2nd in 3 games with a sublime 104 run knock. This helped India reach 416 on the board, which at one point did not seem possible in India’s wildest dreams.

Day four Pant will resume his innings again with Pujara as India hold a 257 run lead with 2 days or 180 plus overs left in the game. India will want to post as big a target and bat as long as possible, as they know the potency the English batting holds.