Cricket News: Though Rashid Latif, a former Pakistan wicketkeeper, believes Hardik Pandya is now among the best all-rounders in the world, he still has a ways to go before being compared to England Test skipper Ben Stokes. Even as Australia defeated India in the first T20I on Tuesday in Mohali, Hardik hit an unbeaten 71 off just 30 deliveries. When asked if Hardik is now comparable to Stokes, Latif disagreed, stating that Stokes has a stronger track record and a larger trophy collection.
“There’s no doubt that he is a very good player but.. and I am using the term “but” because these kinds of knocks happen in bilateral series often,” Rashid Latif said during a discussion on his Youtube channel.
“The Asia Cup concluded recently and you have to count those performances too, with both bat and ball. I’m not talking about today’s match, but just responding to your question (on Hardik-Stokes comparison),” he continued.
“Ben Stokes is a proven player, winning World Cups, winning Test matches,” Latif said.
“So, on the field, I don’t think you can even compare them. Because trophy is a trophy. Ben Stokes is ahead of Hardik in that,” he went on.
“Yes, you could say that some of Hardik’s innings have been better than Ben Stokes, but having better innings and being better than Stokes are two completely different things,” Latif concluded.
Australia will now play India in the second T20I on Friday in Kanpur.
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