Hardik Pandya rated below than Pakistan star who averages very low

Former Pakistan cricketers Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Akhtar came up with a massive statement after the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. They rated their former teammate Abdul Razzaq far more superior than Hardik Pandya.

Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Akhtar’s statement came after Hardik Pandya played a massive role in India’s title-winning triumph in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The all-rounder was right on the money with the bat and ball as he stepped up for the team at crucial junctures.

India was heavily reliant on Hardik Pandya during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

India was heavily reliant on Hardik Pandya during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The all-rounder in the last three games was given the added responsibility as he was the second pacer for the team, with team management opting to go with four spinners in Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav.

However, Pandya didn’t disappoint as he was brilliant with the ball throughout the tournament. The right-hander was spot on with his bowling with the new ball, and then in the death as well, he provided great support to Mohammed Shami, who made his return from injury.

Hardik Pandya scored 99 runs and picked 4 wickets in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Not only this, but Pandya also came up with brilliant outings with the bat. In pressure situations, he looked calm and even after playing a few dot balls, he oozed his confidence as he backed himself to hit big sixes and delivered as well, which made many stand and applaud.

And this came in the two most important games for India in the semi-final against Australia and the final against New Zealand. Pandya ended the tournament with 99 runs that came through important cameos and bagged four wickets, proving why he is rated as the MVP of the team.

I think he was better than him – Mohammad Hafeez rates Abdul Razzaq over Hardik Pandya

With Hardik Pandya delivering another brilliant campaign, Mohammad Hafeez came up with a bold statement. He said that with this version of the all-rounder, who is at his peak, still is not better than Abdul Razzaq, who was better than him. Speaking on the TV show, he said:

“This version of Hardik gives me the indication that the talent I saw in Razzaq Bhai, I think he was better than him.”

Shoaib Akhtar, who was present during the discussion, pointed out how Abdul Razzaq was made to play at different batting positions. He also was quick to quip that nobody respected him. He said:

Sir, we made him open, we made him play in the middle order, we made him play in the lower order, we made him play in the death order, we did everything for him. What’s the point? Let me ask both of them. We never respected him.”

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