Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan wants Hardik Pandya to score runs against big teams in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Pathan noted that Pandya has scored runs against Namibia, the Netherlands, and Zimbabwe in the ongoing T20I showpiece, but he needs to step up against England.

Pandya has scored 172 runs in seven matches of the ongoing T20 World Cup at an average of 28.66 and a strike rate of 156.36. The right-hander scored 17 runs off 14 balls in the previous game against the West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube Channel, “I would like to see him score some runs against big teams. He has scored against Zimbabwe, Namibia, and the Netherlands. I would want him to increase his stature by delivering a crucial performance in this important match.”

On the other hand, Pathan praised Shivam Dube for hitting two fours against the West Indies when India needed 17 runs off the last 10 balls.

He added, “The two fours that he hit made a lot of difference. The management and Bumrah spoke about it. It is a very good thing that you are not forgetting these small contributions.”

Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma has managed only 80 runs in six games of the tournament and Pathan reckons if the left-hander finds his rhythm, then England will have a tough time.

Pathan concluded, “There will be some initial challenge in the form of Jofra Archer. If Abhishek is in form and if he finds his rhythm, England will have a tough time because he can step out against the spinners.”

India will take on England in the second semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Thursday.