Harbhajan Singh opens up on India-Pakistan rivalry, says it is an over-hyped match

India vs Pakistan is one of the greatest rivalries in the sport but former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh reckons the match is over-hyped. India has a solid record against Pakistan in major ICC events but the latter had beaten the former in the final of the Champions Trophy 2017.

Meanwhile, Pakistan talismanic batter Babar Azam is going to hold the key for the Men in Green but the Turbanator noted that the right-hander has an average of 31 against India in the ODI format. 

In eight ODIs against India, Babar Azam has scored 218 runs at an average of 31.14. Harbhajan Singh reckons Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has the skills to take the game away from India. Zaman had also scored a magnificent century in the 2017 Champions Trophy against India.

Babar Azam said on his YouTube Channel, “India and Pakistan. You heard it right-this is an overhyped match between India and Pakistan. Because there is nothing in it. Look at their main batters. Their star batter is Babar Azam. His average against India is 31. If you are a top batter, you have to average around 50. Then, there is Rizwan. I like him as a player. He plays freely. But his average against India is 25. Fakhar Zaman, their only full-time opener, has an average of 46. It’s a good average. Fakhar can take the game away from India.”

“Faheem Ashraf averages 12.5! I don’t think he will be a big threat. Saud Shakeel has an average of 8 against India. Looking at their batting line-up, I don’t get the confidence that this team will even fight.”

On the other hand, Harbhajan noted that New Zealand registered two wins against Pakistan in the tri-series and the former off-spinner believes the Kiwis will hold the advantage against the hosts in the Champions Trophy’s opener on Wednesday.

“Recently, India hammered England at home. On the other hand, Pakistan lost to New Zealand in a tri-series at home. Keep in mind, New Zealand will play the first match against Pakistan. I think New Zealand will hammer Pakistan once again. Because New Zealand seem to have understood the conditions and tactics. India are way ahead at this stage. I think it will be a one-sided game. It’s an overhyped contest. Yes, the tickets have been prized high. But, I don’t think we will get a lot of fun watching this one-sided match.”

Pakistan will take on New Zealand at the National Stadium, Karachi on Wednesday.