Historical context: this article concerns the England-India Test at Edgbaston in July 2022 and comments made afterward by former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif.

Pant’s counter-attacking century

India had fallen to 98 for five when Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja rebuilt the innings. Pant scored 146 from 111 balls and shared a 222-run sixth-wicket partnership with Jadeja.

Pant’s innings drew widespread praise and helped India finish the opening day in a much stronger position.

Mohammad Asif’s criticism

Asif offered a different assessment in comments reported after the innings. He argued that England’s bowlers had failed to target areas that he considered weaknesses in Pant’s technique.

That technical assessment was Asif’s opinion and should not be presented as an established fact about Pant. Other players, coaches and commentators praised the quality and impact of the innings.

The factual record is that Pant made 146 from 111 deliveries after India had been reduced to 98 for five; the explanation for England’s difficulties against him remained a matter of cricket analysis and opinion.